Buffon questions Balotelli and De Rossi snubs
Reuters - Monday 21 March 2011, 14:28
MILAN - Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon
has expressed his disappointment at coach Cesare Prandelli's
decision to omit Mario Balotelli and Daniele De Rossi from his
squad because of club suspensions.
Manchester City striker Balotelli has not been called up for
Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier in Slovenia or the friendly with
Ukraine after being sent off for a high tackle in a Europa
League game against Dynamo Kiev last week.
AS Roma midfielder De Rossi is also missing after being
banned for three Champions League matches for elbowing Shakhtar
Donetsk's Darijo Srna in the last 16 second leg.
"I wasn't here when they talked about an ethics code in the
national team," Buffon, who missed the first half of the season
with injury, told reporters at Italy's training base on Monday.
"I'm sorry we have to do without two important players like
Daniele and Mario, especially De Rossi who is fundamental in
international games. I don't know if I would have pardoned
them."
Italy, who top qualifying Group C, included uncapped Cesena
midfielder Marco Parolo in an inexperienced squad.
Buffon also sent shivers through Juventus fans by refusing
to commit his future to the stuttering Serie A side.
"It's useless to talk now about the transfer market and my
wish to stay. There are more important things, we have to
concentrate on the league," the goalkeeper said.