Buffon Breaks Silence: No Bias Against Gattuso, Italy’s World Cup Hopes Still On the Line

Buffon Defends Gattuso, Denounces Unfounded Bias

Gianluigi Buffon, the Italy national team figurehead, insisted there is no justified bias against Gennaro Gattuso, the Azzurri’s coach, and warned that everyone would retreat to their homes if the team fails to qualify for the World Cup.

Days after the playoff draw pitted Italy against Ireland and Northern Ireland in the semi-final, Buffon told La Gazzetta dello Sport that, back in 2010, he warned the country would celebrate merely reaching the tournament rather than winning it — and time proved his point right.

He added that he understood what was happening; changes arrived faster than anyone predicted. It felt provocative, but only to a measured degree. He also urged an end to stories that no longer reflect reality.

Buffon then reflected on present-day results, saying they take Italy back roughly two decades to a time when the team relied on strength, with figures like Buffon, Cannavaro and Totti, believing that sustainable success lay in those defensive and defensive-minded roots. Even then, he argued, it was necessary to rethink technical and tactical models.

Regarding the federation’s capacity to alter the course, Buffon pressed for a bottom-up approach: "Start from the basics, from seven to thirteen, when real talent forms itself."

He continued, noting that from around fifteen onward improvement is possible, but talent typically forms early, aided by nature. He said discussions with Brandelli aim to understand how to structure this work, and that it was prudent to wait for World Cup qualifiers before finalizing the plan. What if things go wrong? They asked themselves. Everyone might be sidelined; someone new could bring different ideas and potentially derail the project. When you start something like this, stability becomes essential.

If Italy qualifies for the World Cup playoff final, they could face Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away. Marco Materazzi, a living legend of Italian football, said he would relish such a marquee away match, but Buffon did not share the enthusiasm.

The veteran goalkeeper then warned against overconfidence, saying in matches of this magnitude some support from the crowd matters greatly. Fear can paralyze, so players should show proper respect and focus on beating the semi-final hurdle rather than drowning in a refreshed version of North Macedonia’s tale.

Buffon admitted he did not enjoy the recent criticism directed at the national team. He argued that clinging to nostalgia and making endless comparisons to the past weakens current players and that there has long been a tendency to undermine the team. He urged a clear understanding of the historic moment and who benefits from speculation.

On the tactical front, Buffon praised Gattuso’s twelve-year coaching journey, calling him a great professional. He rejected biased attitudes toward him and said he discusses solutions and ideas before and after matches and during the week. He emphasized that Gattuso makes the key decisions, including ideas like a twin striker, which he regarded as excellent. Brandelli was described as the right coach, the best choice, and the media knows this well. He noted that reporters speak to players more than administrators do, and that the press has become slightly less aggressive toward them. He also mentioned that Gattuso hopes to adjust the calendar of Serie A to give the national team more preparation time ahead of the Ireland match in March 2026.

Buffon concluded with a reminder of the emotional weight: after the anthem’s roar, players often wipe away pretend tears on their jerseys. He argued that securing more days off could help, but stressed the need to become stronger than any concession the sport refuses to grant.

Finally, Buffon echoed a familiar line: Rino’s teams are strong. The World Cup, he said, is a magic the country must live, and simply cannot be missed. It’s a call to help realize the shared dream.

Legendary career

Buffon is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest goalkeepers and a symbol of the Italian national team. His early form at Parma set the stage for a record-breaking transfer to Juventus in 2001, a move that cemented his status as the club’s greatest ever goalkeeper.

With Juventus, Buffon left an indelible mark, steering the side to numerous domestic titles, including multiple Serie A crowns, the Coppa Italia, and the Supercoppa Italiana. He also reached the UEFA Champions League final several times, playing a pivotal role in protecting the team’s goal against Europe’s strongest adversaries.

His career is a case study in longevity, leadership, and resilience—qualities that continue to influence Italy’s approach to a World Cup bid, both on and off the pitch.

Two light-hearted punchlines to keep things spicy: Punchline 1: If football strategy were dressing, Buffon would still serve a perfectly tailored suit while the rest of us fumble with sweatpants. Punchline 2: World Cup dreams are real—just ask the calendar; it keeps forcing Italy to take a rain-check before the big game, and we all know rain checks taste like espresso at halftime.