Buffon: No Regrets Backing Gattuso for Italy
Buffon says he stands by supporting Gattuso's Italy appointment, insisting the play-off penalty miss against Bosnia doesn't change his view.
Gianluigi Buffon has no regrets about backing Gennaro Gattuso for the Italy job, and says a missed penalty in the World Cup play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina changes nothing about that view.
Buffon stepped down as Italy's delegation chief immediately after that play-off final loss earlier this year, a defeat that also cost Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina their positions. Bosnia and Herzegovina currently sit third in their World Cup group on 4 points from three matches.
Speaking on Corriere dello Sport's Tutto in Piazza podcast, Buffon explained why he chose to walk away rather than stay on to keep a foot in the door.
"I left the national team well because I’m one of the few Italians who takes responsibility and leaves at the right time, but so many others are intent on returning or sticking around. I don’t, I decided to take time for myself this year, to continue growing as a person, to spend time with my family and children who are growing up and are at an age where it’s important to have the support and presence of your parents, I made and have always made decisions based on what I think, deep down, is the right thing to do".
Italy, without Buffon and Gattuso, now sit second in their World Cup qualifying group on 15 points from six matches, with Moise Kean and Sandro Tonali among the scorers.
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