ITALY WORLD CUP SQUAD 2014

GOALKEEPER PROFILES

BY

LIAM SWIFT (IRELAND)

1. BUFFON

Goalkeepers are the most unselfish players in the pitch. They endure a lot of pressure, in order for their team to be victorious. Gianluigi Buffon is certainly one of the best goalkeepers in the world: he’s not flashy, he is not arrogant, and he doesn’t make many mistakes. He displays of bravery during important matches have proven that he is worthy of being Italy’s and Juventus’s number one, goalkeeper. He has always been professional on and off the pitch; he is a model for any young aspiring footballers. He is a true leader and there aren’t many players like him anymore, in other words he is an exemplary captain.

The World Cup 2006 was the highlight of his international career. After the World Cup 2006, Italy went through a transitional phase with Roberto Donadoni. Donadoni lacked a certain management skill that Lippi had, which was he was able to bring the team together at any circumstances. Italy’s disastrous Euro 2008 campaign forced Donadoni to step down as the Azzurri boss. From then on Italy had two back to back disappointing campaigns, the Confederations cup at 2009 and World Cup 2010 with Lippi managing the side again. In Euro 2012, under coach Cesar Prandelli Buffon began to shine again and he led Italy to a cup final, only to lose to Spain horribly 4-0. With 124 caps, he still going strong and hopes to be the number keeper at the World Cup 2014 and beyond. Buffon has always remained a cool-headed player through-out his long lasting career. Rarely has he received a red card or a yellow card. He has always been a professional on and off the pitch. All of his teammates and coaches have spoken in the highest regard towards him. Even his opponents respect him. Buffon has won every single individual awards that possible to give to a goalkeeper. He has won many trophies with Juventus and Italy during his career. Goalkeepers are really the most unselfish players in the pitch because they do not receive enough credit for their hard-work. He’s not flashy, he is not arrogant, and he does not allow for mistakes to take place. He is a role model and he has earned his reputation. Once he retires it will be evident to the rest of the world that Gianluigi Buffon is simply world’s greatest goalkeeper of all time. Has anyone got any opinions on Buffons Puma Gloves for the World Cup!!!!!

2. Perin

Product of Genoa youth system, Perin was promoted to first team squad on January 2010, as a third-choice goalkeeper, and received the 88 jersey. He appeared on the bench in the matches against Grosseto (20 October 2010), Vicenza (24 November), Inter (12 January 2011) and Lazio (14 May). He made his professional and Serie A debut on 22 May 2011, playing as a starter in the 3-2 home victory against Cesena
On July 2011, he was loaned to Serie B club Padova. He made his Serie B debut on 1 October 2011, playing as a starter in the away match won 4–2 against Empoli.

On summer 2012, he was loaned to Pescara, newly promoted in Serie A, obtaining 29 league appearances at the end of the season.

International career

With the Italy U17 he played as the first choice keeper in both the 2009 European U17 Championship and the 2009 U17 World Cup.

As a member of the Italy U19 team he took part as the backup goalkeeper at the 2010 European U19 Championship.

He made his debut for the Italy U21 team on 11 August 2010, aged only 17, in a friendly match against Denmark.

In 2011–12 season Perin played once for Italy under-21 Serie B representative team and twice for Italy national under-20 football team, both feeder teams of U21. He received his first call up for the Italian senior team by head coach Cesare Prandelli, for the friendly match against England held on 15 August 2012 in Bern.

On 13 May 2014, Perin was included in Prandelli’s provisional 30-man squad ahead of 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

3. Sirigu

On 28 July 2011, Sirigu signed a four-year contract with French club Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of €3.5 million. In August, his first month at the Parisian club, the shot stopper was named by the club supporters as their third best player of the month after Javier Pastore and Kévin Gameiro, indicating a swift adaptation to his new surroundings. He has quickly seen off competition from fellow new signing Nicolas Douchez to become the number 1 goalkeeper for the ambitious Parisian club, as well as a fan favourite. His name is often chanted during home games by the notoriously demanding Paris Saint-Germain supporters. On 27 January 2013, Sirigu broke Bernard Lama’s clean-sheet record for a PSG goalkeeper in Ligue 1 (697 minutes).

International career

On 21 August 2007 he made his debut with the Italy U-21 squad in a friendly match against France. Before making his debut with the Azzurrini, Sirigu had already had international experience at the youth level with the Under-18 and Under-19 teams.

On 28 February 2010 he received his first call-up for the Italian national team for a friendly game versus Cameroon to be played at Stade Louis II, Monaco, but did not play. He was in Lippi’s 28-man provisional 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, but was not included in the 23-man final squad.

Upon Cesare Prandelli taking the helm as national coach, Sirigu was named in his first squad list for the friendly against the Ivory Coast. He made his international debut in that game losing 1–0, on 10 August 2010

He was selected to go to UEFA Euro 2012 as the third choice keeper of the Italian team, behind Gianluigi Buffon and Morgan De Sanctis. For the FIC Cup, He was selected as the second choice behind Gianluigi Buffon.