Buffon: The Italian team must solve the problem of psychological collapse, Gattuso is the most suitable coach

The current Italian team manager and sports director Buffon accepted an exclusive interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, during which he talked about national team coach Gattuso and the current situation of Italian football.

Spain and France are still the top teams

"France has been the top team for the past thirty years, and Spain has been for nearly two decades. Although we have a longer history, we are now in a transition period and have not yet found the right path. At the same time , We are also paying for the mistakes of the past. Today's results stem from 20 years ago, when we were too complacent with our own strength and relied on Buffon, Cannavaro and Totti, thinking that everything would last forever. In fact, it was time to rethink the techniques and tactics of Italian football."

Current Football Situation

"I have been working in the Football Association for more than two years, and you can't deny that some things are changing. The youth team has won, and we also have new plans. We have to be patient, and if you do well, some results will soon appear."

Solution

"Start with the basics: I mean from seven to thirteen, which is the real growth period. After fifteen you can keep improving, but talent is formed before that. Prandelli and I are discussing how to go about this, but we Want to wait until the play-offs to make a final decision. What if we all go home and new people come with new ideas and maybe cancel the project... If we start such a project, we need stability."

Materazzi said that the away game is more important. Good

"I don't agree with him. In this kind of competition, any help is important and the support of the home crowd is crucial. Fear will only restrain you and prevent you from performing. Instead, what we need is proper respect, while keeping in mind that to reach the final you must first pass the half Final... We cannot fall into a new North Macedonia dilemma again."

Criticism of the team and Gattuso

"Gattuso has been coaching for twelve years and is a great professional. I don't like or understand the prejudice against him. I discuss it with him. The solution, both before and after the game. He makes all the decisions himself, such as the two-forward formation. He explains how the system works, how the players move, and now the system is unshakable."

Is Gattuso the right manager?

"He is the right manager, he is the best choice. I have been in the national team for twenty years and I know one thing: Italy can only win if we are united. And that is what Gattuso is creating."

It's hard not to be criticized for the game against Norway

"Criticism is your responsibility and good for us. I'm just saying that the score was 1-1 until the 78th minute. Isn't that true? Then a mental breakdown, not a physical breakdown, is unacceptable and we have to work on that. If this problem is solved, we can fight against any team This situation also happened when Spalletti was coaching. After five excellent performances in the UEFA Nations League, it suddenly collapsed. They shine, they are full of enthusiasm and they know they can write history. They have two or three outstanding talents, combined with impressive physical and dynamic performance, unlike the lumbering big men they had at San Siro thirty years ago, it is simply scary..."

Why?

"Seven of the starting eleven are between 1.89 meters and 1.96 meters tall. Plus Haaland, they always start the game with a goal and a half advantage."

If Guardiola becomes the head coach from tomorrow, will everything change?

"The national team is a complex thing that needs to be handled carefully, but time is limited. What I like most about Gattuso is his simplicity. Maybe you have forgotten the score of 19 goals in six games: when has Italy scored so many goals in history? How many big wins do you remember? Some people complained that only three or four goals were scored against Estonia: is this a joke? We have a clear goal: to score goals, and a strong forward partnership."

Can you imagine missing the World Cup for the third time in a row?

"We are only focusing on the game now, and we will talk about other things later."