Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus legend and now Head of Delegation for the Italian national team, has weighed in on the ongoing controversy involving Alessandro Bastoni, almost a month after the heated Derby d’Italia.
Speaking to Il Messaggero, Buffon recalled his recent conversation with the Inter defender:
“We’ve spoken,” he said. “I found the whole thing a bit excessive. He’s already apologised, but he’s paying a lot more than he deserves.”
On VAR and officiating
Buffon also addressed the increasingly debated role of VAR in Italian football.
“It’s clear we can’t do without it,” he explained. “It has to intervene to resolve incidents like the Kalulu one—how can you not step in on something that serious? Whoever designed that rule must have lost their mind. The procedure drives you crazy. Even with contact, something needs to change: it can’t always be a foul. There should be a real dialogue between former players and referees—if you whistle every touch, the players will just keep throwing themselves to the ground.”
Looking ahead to the World Cup Playoffs
Turning to Italy’s upcoming World Cup qualification playoffs, Buffon spoke with optimism—and a touch of frustration—about the constant criticism surrounding the national team.
“We’ve got a super-competitive squad, capable of playing at levels far above what’s needed for a playoff,” he said. “With players like Donnarumma, Bastoni, Calafiori, Barella, Tonali, Kean, Retegui, and Pio Esposito—how can Italy not advance?
“I’m always the first to take responsibility. If people need a scapegoat, I’ll step aside. If we fail to qualify and that’s the issue, fine—I’ll go home. But what kind of reasoning is that? It drives me mad that there’s so little effort to understand whether someone truly has values or competence. It’s like flipping a coin: if things go well, everyone’s brilliant; if not, everyone’s useless. That way of thinking is embarrassing—but so be it.”
