admin“It is a more than positive tournament because this team showed great character. On 30 June after a long season these lads were so generous,” Prandelli told Sky Sport Italia.
“We deserved this result with some good performances and have been getting more consistent as time went on. For the first time in my career I couldn’t figure out what to do, as eight players wanted to be substituted.
“We suffered, stayed in the game and then the penalties are always a bit of a lottery.”
Buffon saved three spot-kicks during the shoot-out, including one from Walter Gargano which sealed victory for the Azzurri.
“In Italy people say so many ridiculous things. Penalties can be saved or not, but the problem is that people assume it’s easy to save a spot-kick,” continued Prandelli.
“Gigi is a great goalkeeper who again proved tonight how much he cares about the shirt.”
Despite his individual heroics, Buffon opted to share praise with his team-mates as they ended the tournament on a positive note.
“It’s a moment for us to be proud, because we did well in a very difficult match,” he said.
“It would’ve been harder if we didn’t show this type of character on the pitch. We suffered a lot during the match, but this outcome made it worthwhile and I was able to give my best for the team.
“We honoured our place in the football world the best way we could. It’s a miracle we’re here now. We managed not to lose, and this is very positive.”
Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has set his sights on a place in the World Cup final next summer after silencing the critics with three saves in a penalty shootout.
Buffon, 35, came under fire after failing to save one spot-kick as Italy were beaten 7-6 by Spain in the semi-final shootout, while his credentials as Italy’s No.1 were being doubted as the Azzurri shipped a total of ten goals in Brazil.
However, he delivered his riposte on the field in Salvador by saving three penalties as Italy beat Uruguay 3-2 in another shootout before slamming the critics and setting his sights on glory next summer while clutching his bronze medal.
“Since I was unable to gift my team-mates any joy against Spain, I thought I’d do it today, even if it was a bit late,” he told reporters. — Soccernet.
Online Reporter