Buffon: Italy can benefit from low expectations
Gianluigi Buffon is banking on Italy's underdog status.
The legendary shot-stopper, speaking after Antonio Conte named his 23-man squad for Euro 2016, admitted that the Azzurri are not enjoying the brightest moment in their illustrious history, but thinks those lowered expectations heading into this summer's tournament could actually be beneficial.
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"We have a big responsibility to represent our country, which is passionate about football and even lives for it," he said on RAI TV, via Football Italia.
"We are not having our best moment, but when nobody expects anything that is when you can bring out more than you thought you had and surprise people."
Considering Italy's recent history in major international competitions, it's difficult to argue with him. The Azzurri captured the 2006 World Cup title while the nation was in the midst of the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal, and made a run to the final of Euro 2012 despite flying entirely under the radar heading into the tournament.
As defending World Cup champion in 2010, meanwhile? An embarrassing group stage exit after a draw against New Zealand and a loss to Slovakia.
Perhaps the derision that has met the squad in the wake of Tuesday's announcement is exactly what the team needs.