Socrates

Buffon astounded by recovery Jun 22, 2014 The Italy captain had feared missing the entire World Cup, admits Gigi Buffon. “I never dreamed I’d recover so quickly.” The goalkeeper sprained his ankle on the Manaus turf the night before their opening game with England, but was back for the 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica. “It was a heavy psychological blow for me, because not even in the best case scenario did I dream that I’d recover so quickly,” he said in a Press conference. “This put me in a good mood and frankly I really needed that.” Much has been said during this World Cup about the Brazilian heat and humidity, as South and Central American sides appear to thrive in the conditions. “I don’t believe in alibis, as I’ve never sought or liked them,” noted Buffon. “The climactic conditions are difficult, almost impossible, but they are for everyone here. We have seen confirmation many teams unaccustomed to this tropical climate struggled, but that doesn’t mean we need to go looking for excuses. “The truth is that against Costa Rica we were unable to play the same kind of football as against England, not even in short bursts.”

Buffon: 'Azzurri are chameleons' Jun 22, 2014 Gianluigi Buffon is pleased with a possible switch to a three-man defence against Uruguay. “We are chameleons.” Italy need at least a point to progress in the World Cup on Tuesday in Natal and, with Daniele De Rossi injured, it’s reported Cesare Prandelli will move to 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2. “We are open to all possibilities,” said captain Buffon in a Press conference. “One of our best qualities is that we are chameleons and I hope this versatility will help us to reach all the results we are aiming for.” If it is 3-5-2, then there are rumours Torino striker Ciro Immobile will partner Mario Balotelli for the first time. “It would be a novelty, with all the benefits and risks that go with that. In case this choice is made, what happens on the field will tell us if it was the right decision. “Do I prefer working with a three-man defence? What I think is irrelevant, as we’re talking about what is best for the team and the right medicine to emerge from certain tough moments. “The answer is in the head of the Coach, so what I prefer counts for practically nothing. “I think we can all agree that recently we conceded too many chances and against Costa Rica we were unable to balance that with the opportunities created. “The disappointment within us is about the second half, when we were unable to cause problems for a team that focused only on defending.” Italy were praised in the media after beating England 2-1 with the 4-1-4-1 system, but lambasted after a similar approach lost to Costa Rica. “I think it’s a bit excessive to go from this style being the cure to all ills and five days later it’s already old news. Decisions need to be made based on the players and the opponents, so versatility is helpful.”

Buffon: 'Exit would be a failure' Jun 22, 2014 Gigi Buffon said Italy are “worried to the right degree” against Uruguay and raise their game in difficulty, but “elimination would be a failure.” The Group D decider kicks off in Natal on Tuesday at 17.00 UK time (13.00 local time), as a point will be enough for the Azzurri to go through. “History teaches us the higher the stakes, the more we deliver. Mind you, it would be a little masochistic and risky if we only performed when we were drowning...” confessed the goalkeeper in a Press conference. “This is my 10th major tournament and only once, in last year’s Confederations Cup, where we already qualified before the third game. “Uruguay are a side to be feared and there is an echo effect from the recent games. We are coming off a deserved defeat to Costa Rica, while Uruguay are fresh from beating England. “I wasn’t so worried in South Africa four years ago, as we needed only a draw against Slovakia. Here it’s more demanding and our opponents more of a concern. Let’s say we are worried to the right degree.” In 2010 the Azzurri went out in the group phase, losing that decider to Slovakia, though Buffon was out injured. What would happen if Italy went out in the first round of their second World Cup running? “We certainly wouldn’t go into history as the best Italy side. It would be a huge disappointment for each player, for the group and considered a failure for the team. Nobody can deny that. Nobody is afraid of taking the responsibility that comes with it. “If we do go through, then there will be some very tough opponents waiting for us. Perhaps our problems would’ve just begun, but going out in the second round or quarter-finals is different to a group stage exit. “Optimism is found with performances and a great game on Tuesday. It will require many ingredients: a passionate heart and cool head, plus a certain belief that mustn’t be ruined by a single game that went wrong.”

Deschamps 'did not punish Pogba' Jun 22, 2014 France Coach Didier Deschamps assures he “did not punish” Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba. The 21-year-old risked dismissal for reacting to a foul in the win over Honduras and then started from the bench in a 5-2 victory over Switzerland. “That was not a sanction against the fact that he could have received a red card in the first game,” insisted Deschamps in a Press conference. “It was a choice with respect to Moussa Sissoko. Paul has huge potential, I trust him, and he knows that. “He is capable of doing very good things. But I cannot play all players.”

Marchisio: 'More determined Italy' Jun 21, 2014 Claudio Marchisio warned Italy “will need to be much more determined and gritty” against Uruguay. The Azzurri can still progress in the World Cup after a shock 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica, but only if they get at least a point against Uruguay on Tuesday. “We had the chances to take the lead in the first half, but we didn’t take them and then conceded at the other end,” Marchisio told RAI Sport. “If we had scored first, then it would’ve been a very different match. We expected it to be difficult and unfortunately it went badly. “We still have a very good chance of going through. We need to focus on Uruguay, which is the most important game.” Thiago Motta complained about the heat in Recife at 13.00 local time and Marchisio agreed to a point. “Many things changed from Manaus, as we weren’t playing against another European team like England and the kick-off time was the hottest time of day. I’d like to know who organised this schedule and ask a few questions... “The heat was not an alibi, but it can make the difference. In any case, we will need Italy to be much more determined and gritty against Uruguay if we are going to qualify.” Italy can go through if they draw with Uruguay, as they have a superior goal difference. “In that sense, it was important that we lost 1-0 to Costa Rica and not 2-0, as that would’ve changed things. “We haven’t got long to recover, as the next game is also at 13.00 and we have only three days to recover.”

Veron: Pogba & Vidal the World Cup's best midfielders The former Argentina international believes that the Juventus duo are a class part, hailing the pair for their ability to make a difference in any game. Jun 21, 2014 Juan Sebastian Veron has hailed Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal as the best midfielders on show at this summer's World Cup. The pair are team-mates at Juventus, whom they helped to a record points haul during last season's Serie A title-winning campaign. Veron has been particularly impressed by what he has seen in Brazil from Pogba, who won a penalty in France's tournament opener against Honduras before creating a goal for Karim Benzema in the 5-2 demolition of Switzerland with a sublime outside-of-the-foot pass after coming on as substitute. Indeed, the former Argentina international believes that the 21-year-old is the most outstanding talent in an exciting Bleus line-up that has already racked up eight goals in two games. "I'm surprised by France: they are young, but already strong," Veron told RMC. "But then, these are guys who have grown up at big clubs. "The best example is Paul Pogba. He plays with a lot of intensity and is very offensive. Every team would like to have him. "This kind of player is rare. I'm very impressed by him. He's the best midfielder at the World Cup along with the Chilean, Arturo Vidal. These are two unpredictable players that can always make the difference." Pogba's France need only a point from their final fixture to progress to the last 16, while Vidal's Chile are already through, having booked their place in the knockout stages by dumping reigning champions Spain out of the competition.

Chiellini to serve two-match ban Jun 20, 2014 Giorgio Chiellini will miss Juventus' first two games of the new Serie A season after an appeal against a three-match ban was rejected. The defender was suspended for three games after he was found guilty of elbowing Roma's Miralem Pjanic through television evidence. Chiellini sat out the Bianconeri's final match of the season against Cagliari, but his club appealed the decision. On Thursday, the Italian FA's Federal Court of Justice upheld the full ban, confirming the first judgement after reviewing the video evidence of the two players' clash. Consequently, the 29-year-old, who is currently representing Italy at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, will have to watch his club start the defence of their third straight Serie A title from the stands. He will be able to return to domestic action only in the second half of September, after Italy's first Euro 2016 qualifiers. The 2014-15 Serie A season starts on the weekend of August 30/31.

Buffon: 'Defeat changes nothing' Jun 20, 2014 Gigi Buffon insists the defeat to Costa Rica “changes nothing” for Italy’s final group match against Uruguay. “At the end of the day we hoped to do better and to do what we had prepared to make life difficult for Costa Rica,” the goalkeeper told Sky Sport Italia. “Instead we had a few more problems than anticipated and after taking the lead Costa Rica controlled the situation well.” This is Buffon’s fifth World Cup campaign and it was his first appearance of the tournament, having missed the 2-1 win over England with a sprained ankle. “You get back on your feet by looking on the bright side, which is that even a draw wouldn’t have changed anything, as we still needed a draw against Uruguay,” assured the captain. “In fact, even a victory would’ve left us needing a point to be absolutely sure. Costa Rica’s qualification was a shock for those who take some things for granted and think there are still weak teams in a World Cup. “For several years now we have realised there’s no such thing as a Cinderella side in major tournaments.” Italy can still qualify with a draw against Uruguay, as they are in front on goal difference, but England have been eliminated.

Hai detto niente!

É proprio lui che mi preoccupa. Rischiamo davvero di uscire.

Quasi come Moreno infatti.

Costa Rica = Corea

Italia come la Spagna, senza fiato.

Arbitraggio insufficiente.

Cassano sfiatato

Bergomi non é da considerare.

Non ci reggiamo in piedi.

Grande Giorgio!

L'amico di Mamozio fallisce miseramente.

Lo stiamo facendo apposta per buttar fuori l'Inghilterra.

Sempre in fuorigioco.

Cassano dannoso.

Non perdere la testa Mario!