Former Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has spoken about the arrival of Luciano Spalletti at the club, sharing his thoughts on what could have been different if the coach had taken charge earlier in the season. Speaking to Radio Anch’io Lo Sport, Buffon, now Italy’s team delegate and sporting director, expressed both admiration and a hint of regret.
“Spalletti is the right coach for Juventus,” said Buffon. “I’m sorry that Luciano didn’t have the chance to start his project from the pre-season training camp, because he could have had a real influence on the team and even on the transfer market.”
Buffon’s words highlight the respect the legendary goalkeeper holds for Spalletti, whose arrival in Turin has already brought a renewed sense of ambition. Yet, the feeling remains that an earlier start might have allowed the new manager more time to impose his tactical philosophy.
On Italy’s Current Challenges
Buffon also reflected on the current state of the Italian national team, explaining that the problem lies not in quality but in consistency and mentality. “We are a very strong team on an individual level — six or seven out of eleven are top-level players,” he explained. “The real difficulty right now is finding the right balance so that each player feels comfortable and performs at 100 percent.”
He went on to identify lapses in concentration as Italy’s main weakness. “Our problem is the mental blackouts we sometimes have. But when we are fully focused, we can compete with anyone.”
On the topic of the expanded World Cup format, Buffon welcomed the inclusion of new nations but voiced caution over its potential downsides. “It’s fascinating to see new teams and realities, but it shouldn’t happen at the expense of the strongest national sides,” he concluded.
