Buffon has ‘no regrets’ despite Italy’s Euro exit
LEAP OF FAITH: Italy's Gianluigi Buffon attempts to make a save during the penalty shootout against Germany in Saturday’s Euro 2016 quarterfinal BORDEAUX – Tears rolled down the cheeks of Gianluigi Buffon but the legendary Italy keeper said there were “no regrets” despite the Azzurri missing a golden chance to beat Germany to a Euro 2016 semifinal spot on Saturday.
“The tears are for my disappointment. It was a magical experience that revived something in all of us and our fans, but it’s come to an end,” an emotional Buffon told media after Germany’s 6-5 penalty shootout win in Bordeaux.
After their quarterfinal finished 1-1 in regulation time and neither team scored in extra time, Italy’s bid to put two forgettable World Cup campaigns behind them only unravelled in a dramatic penalty shootout. They spurned the chance to clinch their last-four spot when Graziano Pelle hit a pitiful effort wide of the post as the Germans misfired.
That, and other misses, proved costly for Italy later on, as the penalty shootout went to a total of 18 kicks.
After Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian saw his shot saved by Manuel Neuer, Jonas Hector stepped up to beat Buffon and send World Cup holders Germany into the semifinals.
“It’s a shame. When a team misses three penalties out of five and you still don’t manage to win it becomes complicated,” said Buffon. “Sometimes it goes your way, other times it doesn’t. But that’s all a big part of sport, and you have to accept it.
“We wanted to leave this tournament without any regrets and that’s what we will do. We made our people proud and for this we can’t be sorry.”
But the 38-year-old Juventus goalkeeper indicated that the defeat would not hasten his international retirement. –