Monday, 24th June, 2013
Italy captain and custodian Gianluigi Buffon is not scared of facing Spain in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Italy were left to lick their wounds after Spain comprehensively trounced them 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final and also got the better of them when they ousted Italy from the Euro 2008 quarter-finals by virtue of defeating them 4-2 on penalties.
"We’ve played each other in the past two European Championships and we’re playing again… Spain is always a tough opponent, but we aren’t scared", he told Marca.
The 35-year old believes that Spain are currently the strongest team in the world but they have a clear plan for containing La Roja’s dynamic midfield.
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“We have a clear-cut plan. Right now, Spain is the strongest team in the world and we have to contain its midfield. We have to play a very serious game, remain focused and try not to let their players get comfortable on the ball. I think that we’re going to play a great game."
The veteran goalkeeper expects the match to be an evenly contested one and hopes it will not be a repetition of the Euro 2012 final. He warned the Spaniards of an Italian fight and further added that Spain have to work very hard in order to beat them.
"I’m sure that it’s going to be a very evenly-matched game. I don’t expect it to be, but I hope it isn’t like the last time we met. There will be no repeat of our game at Euro2012 and we’re going to give our all to reach the final.
"We know that Spain is currently the stronger team, but Italy is a good team too and we’re going to put up a fight. Everyone can be sure that Spain is going to have to work very hard to beat us."
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