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Buffon promises World Cup birth for Italy

Buffon promises World Cup birth for Italy

  • Matthew Klimberg
Amidst widespread anxiety among Italians about their nation’s declining chances to appear in the World Cup, a familiar voice emerged to provide sage words of reassurance. National team captain Gigi Buffon has promised that he will make sure the Azzurri take the world stage in Russia next summer.

“Italy, I will bring you to the World Cup in Russia,” said the Juventus keeper. “I have to bring Italy to the World Cup and I will do everything to achieve that. Not for me, but for Italy, for our football history, for what we believe and for the importance of football. Italy has to go to the World Cup.”

Speaking to Tuttosport and Corriere dello Sport, Buffon lent his support to embattled national team manager Gian Piero Ventura. “For a year there have been good results and there has been a formation that was evolving on the wings of enthusiasm.” 

Should Italy make it to Russia, they will need to get past an upcoming playoff against a yet undetermined opponent. With their 1-1 draw against Macedonia, Italy allowed Spain to secure the only automatic qualification spot in the group.