Calcio Debate: How Will Italy Cope If Buffon Misses Euro 2008? Following the news that Gianluigi Buffon is suffering from a potentially serious back injury – Carlo Garganese asks how Italy would cope if the great man was to miss Euro 2008… Only the most tunnel-visioned of Chelsea and Real Madrid fans would argue that Gianluigi Buffon is head-and-shoulders the best goalkeeper in the world. Indeed I have little doubt that by the time his career ends, which will most likely be another 10 years or so, he will have established himself as the greatest shot-stopper of all time. With this summer’s European Championships just around the corner, it is clear that Buffon will be crucial to Italy’s hopes of winning a second major tournament in succession. The Azzurri have three players who they will find very difficult to replace. One is obviously Fabio Cannavaro, who is still a top-class defender, but more importantly is the captain and organiser of the team. The second is Andrea Pirlo, who brings a unique quality that simply cannot be substituted. Finally there is Luca Toni in the first striker role. Behind the Bayern Munich man there are very few valid alternatives of his ilk. If any of these players were to miss Euro 2008, it would be a huge blow. However an even more catastrophic loss would surely be the absence of Buffon. Beneath the great man, there really is a worrying shortage of top-class goalkeepers. Gone are the days when Italy could take two or three world-class custodians to a major championship. In 1970 the Azzurri had Enrico Albertosi and Dino Zoff at their disposal, at Italia 90’ they had Walter Zenga and Stefano Tacconi, while at France 98’ Buffon sat as third-choice to Gianluca Pagliuca and Francesco Toldo. At Euro 2008 Buffon’s deputies will be Livorno’s Marco Amelia and Roma’s benchwarmer Gianluca Curci. Should, God forbid, Buffon’s potentially serious back injury force him to miss Euro 2008, then this could prove disastrous for Italy’s chances of winning the trophy. I have never been totally convinced by Amelia’s ability, despite his hot-prospect status, and I can remember being horrified when I was in Germany in 2006 by just how many mistakes the 25-year-old was making during training matches. For sure Amelia has potential, indeed he was absolutely brilliant in Livorno’s 1-0 win over Empoli last weekend, pulling off a string of stunning saves. However with no Champions League experience, and only five international caps to his name, does he have what is required to adequately replace an injured Buffon at Euro 2008? I doubt it very much. The lack of Italian goalkeepers playing in Serie A is really becoming something of a concern. Three of the peninsula’s top four clubs all have Brazilians between the sticks. Inter have Julio Cesar, Roma boast Alexander Doni, while Milan have Nelson Dida. Then you look at the teams just below them in size like Fiorentina, who have Sebastien Frey, and Udinese, who have Samir Handanovic. All in all seven of Serie A’s first-choice stoppers are foreign, while of the Italians that keep stick, four are between the ages of 39 and 43 (think Marco Ballotta). "In Italy clubs lack the courage necessary to launch and protect a young goalkeeper,” slammed Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Cristian Abbiati last week, who also declared during the same interview that Marco Amelia was not good enough to be Italy’s number two. “It is true that we no longer have so many youngsters like before.” Luckily for Italy, Gianluigi Buffon, at the age of 29, will probably be able to go on for at least another two World Cups and two European Championships. This should provide plenty of time to find someone to fill his big gloves. However the risk is always there that the Juventus man may be forced out of one of these tournaments through injury. In view of this, it surely is time for Italian clubs to review their policies on goalkeepers. If you were to remove Gianluigi Buffon from the equation, then Italy are really no better off than England when it comes to the quality of their shot-stoppers. And as all Three Lions fans will know - that is certainly not something to be proud of. goal.com
It seems like he will surely miss some time with Juve... but can we expect him to be at Euro? I am praying he won't need surgery. Hopefully, it's something that will get better in a few weeks if he rests it off.
Euro 2000? Anybody? Buffon out with a broken hand right before the tournament. Toldo steps up and plays a massive tournament -- with one PK save in regulation and 2 PK saves in the shootout against the Dutch co-hosts.
He's expected to miss the game against Livorno on Sunday, but is expected to do a light training session on Sunday. They expect him back for the Coppa game against Inter.
except this time it's not a solid keeper like Toldo, it's Marco Amelia, who can be brilliant at times but other times can look like a Serie D keeper.
Yea, unfortunately, there is quite a drop off in quality keepers after Buffon. What you said about Amelia is true. And Curci? The word is still out on him as well. Buffon is miles ahead of any of these guys.
With the reported nature of his injury, it's doubtful that it will be serious. Herniations regularly heal without surgery, and usually surgery is performed on athletes so they get back quicker, rather than later. They usually just snip off a bit of the disc so it doesn't imping on the nerves, but normally these discs heal on their own with some bedrest and proper exercises to address those segments. So he probably needs a bit of physiotherapy and back strengthening and he will be fine. That said, I say we all say a few (hundred) prayers for Buffon because he is head and shoulders the best shot stopper in the World today!! Get well soon Buffon...WELL and SOON.
You guys don't remember Buffon's condition before the WC2006? Wasn't he recovering from shoulder surgery...no worries.
Sounds like he'll be ok soon enough, but it's a reasonable question. Amelia is a bit too erratic, but again, still young enough to improve. imo Curci seems to be real quality, but still too young for that high level. footie is such big business these days that clubs want an excellent #2 keeper & will pay for it, which is all fine for an older player, but if it's a younger one, they get no playing time. Curci needs to be somewhere he can start...
In a recent interview Buffon himself stated that it's nothing that serious and that he expects to return back to action very soon. At the same time though, back injuries are very sensitive and very risky. It's the type of injury that can come back and hit you at any time if you aren't patient in the healing process. Lets hope though Buffon is right and that it isn't anything to fuss about. As for the potential replacement situation, I too am somewhat concerned. Going into World Cup 06 Amelia was highly rated by the Italian media, and was even being sought after by some of the biggest clubs from around Italy and Europe. An average at best 06-07 season really hurt his stock though. Although he is only 25 years old, I don't see him having the potential to play a starting role for us at any point in the future. Curci, in spite of his limited role with ROma over the last few years, is an incredibly talented goal keeper. This kid always very calm in goal (doesn't over anticipated the shot), and has excellent athletic ability. Unfortunately though we can't put too much faith in him when he isn't even able to see regular playing time with his club! If Roma isn't going to make full use of a great young talent like Curci, then they're simply better off just loaning him out and letting him develop elsewhere. Personally though, if we become that desperate I still have no problems whatsoever bringing back Toldo. Granted, he lost his starting spot to Cesar (unjustly in my opinion) some time ago and he is almost 37 years of age, but what people fail to realize though is that age doesn't play as much of a factor with goalkeepers as it does with any other player. The bulk of a goalkeepers talent comes from his excellent positioning and reflexes, which I don't think Toldo has ever truly lost as he has gotten older. I just see him of being another version of Peruzzi for us. other options to consider would be Abbiatti (high underrated), De Sanctis, and Flavio Roma
After Gigi had his shoulder injury, it took him quite a while to get back in form. If the posts above are correct, it doesn't sound that he will be out of action for too long and he should be fit for Euro. Euro is 5+ months away.
Well it looks like I got one of my wishes today. Donadoni called up Moran De Sanctis for the friendly match vs. Portugal next week. De Sanctis is more than likely gonna be backing up Amelia, but just the fact that he's still getting noticed to some extent is a good sign.
Looks like Buffon suffered a set back in practice yesterday Juve’s new Buffon fears Thursday 7 February, 2008 Reports from Juventus’ training ground suggest that Gigi Buffon is once more in doubt for the trip to Udine this weekend. The Old Lady face Udinese in a crucial Champions League qualification showdown this weekend and were hoping to welcome Azzurri goalkeeper Buffon back to the side. The former Parma custodian has been absent with a back problem, but Juve medical bulletins had insisted that he was ready to return between the posts. However, Buffon looked in pain during training today at Vinovo, especially when getting back up after diving saves. The medical staff will be very reluctant to send Juve’s No 1 back into action before he is ready as they fear that his problem may become more severe and require an operation that could lead to months on the sidelines. The good news for Claudio Ranieri is that Giorgio Chiellini and Mauro Camoranesi are fully recovered from their injuries and will be fit for the Stadio Friuli encounter. Czech international Zdenek Grygera and Azzurri man Raffaele Palladino only took part briefly in a light training session. Christian Molinaro was absent, as were Marco Marchionni and Jorge Andrade who had a session in the gym.
C4 might be on some sort of drugs, but they have him listed as returning this weekend. [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular] David Trezeguet is a major doubt with injury and that will be a big blow for Claudio Ranieri’s team. The Tinkerman will also have to do without newly captured Guglielmo Stendardo, who is suspended, and Giorgio Chiellini. However, Gigi Buffon should return between the posts after missing two consecutive games. [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular]http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0708/udi-juv.html Personally, I'd trust Gigi sitting in goal in a wheelchair to get the job done more than any of the reserve keepers. [/FONT]