Gli Azzurri boss backs the Bianconeri shot-stopper after controversy against AC Milan; defends dropping Mario Balotelli and Pablo Osvaldo.
Italian national team manager, Cesare Prandelli, has defended under-fire Gianluigi Buffon, and insists that the veteran shot-stopper will remain as his captain.
Several football pundits have called for the Juventus goalkeeper to be stripped off his armband after the recent controversy in the game against A.C Milan. Sulley Muntari had a goal disallowed by the referee after it clearly seemed
that the ball had passed the line. The referee asked for Buffon’s opinion on the matter, but the shot-stopper denied that the ball had crossed the line.
Prandelli believes that it is normal in football, and it should not be over exaggerated. The former Fiorentina boss fully backs the Bianconeri skipper, and insists that it will not have any impact on the veteran’s national team
future.
While talking to the reporters, Prandelli said:
“I haven’t thought about taking the armband away from Buffon. There have been some calls for Buffon to be stripped of the captaincy or even dropped from the set-up altogether. I’m more convinced than ever that during games and
straight after them, players have so much competitive tension that they can’t favour a referee if they have any kind of doubt.”
The 54-year-old went onto defend his selection of dropping Pablo Osvaldo and Mario Balotelli. The duo has been blamed for their short-temperedness in the field. Prandelli has admitted that he do not need impatient players in his
team, who could hurt his side after getting sent-off during the game.
The tactician has urged the duo to improve their behaviour if they want to represent their country in the future.
“I don’t want a player, because of a reaction on the field of play, to leave my team down to 10 men. In my head, Balotelli is in my first team for the European Championship."
With Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi’s involvement highly doubtful for the Euro 2012, Prandelli has further limited his strike options for the tournament.
Italy will start their campaign against Spain in June this year.