Buffon deputies enjoy rare spot of limelight
Reuters - Friday 22 June 2012, 19:00
Salvatore Sirigu and Morgan De
Sanctis share one of the world's loneliest jobs - vying for
Italy's reserve goalkeeper jersey at Euro 2012.
After more than a fortnight away from home, with little to
do but go training and assist in the build-up for the next
match, both men were accustomed to a life of blissful, if dull,
banality and a seat on the substitutes' bench.
Every day must have seemed the same with only a nagging,
unwanted, fear that their squad's revered captain and senior
goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon may fall ill, or get injured,
occasionally interrupting the routine.
But Buffon, apart from his sheer greatness, his longevity
and his inspirational presence, had also re-established a
reputation for durability this year, after helping Juventus to
the Italian title.
Only an act of unexpected drama, they imagined, could
interfere with their habitual long hours of recreation and
relaxation in the team's luxury country house hotel.
All this changed on Friday, however, when both were
summoned, along with the man widely acclaimed as the world's
greatest keeper, to attend a news conference at the Casa
Azzurri, the Italian media's home from home at the tournament.
CENTRE STAGE
Most reporters expected Buffon, who will make his 118th
appearance for Italy when they meet England in Sunday's
quarter-final in Kiev, to take centre stage in the Casa's main
upstairs interview room.
No doubt De Sanctis, 35, winner of five international caps,
and 24-year-old Sirigu, who has two, expected the same - with
them despatched to a secondary room with no more than a handful
of stray, perhaps equally reserve-status, reporters would act as
inquisitors.
Instead, all three goalkeepers were called upstairs where
they faced an Italian media corps bolstered by the presence of
many English and other visitors.
After a brief and sonorous opening statement, Buffon rested
his baritone voice.
The opening question, prompted by concern for the feelings
of the loneliest men at Euro 2012, was to De Sanctis.
"[Leonardo] Bonucci says Italy are better than England -
what do you think?" he was asked.
It was an invitation to make a foolish answer and, luckily,
the Napoli goalkeeper saw it coming.
"I'm not so much in agreement with Bonucci - and not in
front of you," he replied, saving himself from embarrassment.
As further questions flew, the two reserves fielded them
without difficulty, allowing Buffon to stifle a yawn, scratch
his ear and stretch like a lazy lion waiting for passing prey.
Then came a routine question to the established 'numero uno'
about his research for the unwanted prospect of a penalty
shootout.
"Will Gigi be watching videos with his team-mates?," he was
asked.
As the man who could be an opera singer, or a tango star, in
another life cleared his throat, Sirigu began to giggle.
It was contagious and Buffon's creased and foreboding face
broke into a wide smile.
"Tonight," he spluttered between peals of laughter. "With
my team-mates. I will look at a video - and try to document it
in the best way.
"Why are they laughing?" asked a bemused English reporter.
The Italian federation's media liaison officer Barbara
Moschini produced an adroit face-saving move when she suggested
her trio of giggling goalkeepers were "talking about some videos
that are watched in the night".