Buffon dated an exclusive interview with "Milan Sports", in which the legendary goalkeeper talked about the upcoming Champions League final of Inter vs Paris and the topic of the Italian national team.
Reporter: Donarumma finally conquered the French. Is it really that difficult to win love in Paris?
Buffon: Not at all. I played in Paris for a year and got more love and respect from people than I got in Italy. It's a little different from the reporters: everyone naturally thinks that all other events must be won, and Paris's goal is the Champions League. If things don't go well, some reports will become a little mean.
Reporter: Donnarumma took on the banner of Paris Saint-Germain in the match against Liverpool, Villa and Arsenal. As a friend and brother of Donarumma, he is a competitor after all, even though you are about to hang up your boots at that time. This is not taken for granted.
Buffon: But that's the way sportsmanship is. I don't like the kind of "Are you stronger or Zov stronger?" ’, ‘Are you strong or Peruzzi strong? ’ Questions like ’. I'm totally uninterested that everyone has his own history, I'm proud of my own history, I think I've always been serious and professional. Those who claim to be the 'strongest players from time to time make me feel a little pitiful. I prefer to recognize talent, no matter who it belongs to.
Reporter: Is Donaruma your successor?
Buffon: There is no doubt. And he is a gold-like boy who knows how to respond to questions. Humble but appropriately confident: If you don't have confidence, you can't control the restricted area.
Reporter: What is the difference between Donnarumma and Sommer?
Buffon: From the perspective of physical conditions, they are at two extremes, so their characteristics are different, but their reaction speeds are very similar. And this is one of the great advantages of Donnarumma: no one suspects Sommer reacts quickly, but a big man close to two meters tall is also quick.
Reporter: There are Donarumma and Sommer at the top. Some people say: This is the victory of goalkeepers who are good at saving, not those goalkeepers with good footwork.
Buffon: This is a cliché, a stale argument. Both Donnarumma and Sommer's footwork are great. Of course, 10% of the goalkeepers have a foot score of 9 points, which can kick out accurate 100-yard long passes and have a wide vision, but I prefer a goalkeeper with a foot score of 7.5 points but has a decisive role in front of the goal. You remember that he was because of his save, not because of an assist. Then you look at the Champions League championship list for the past ten to fifteen years.
Reporter: What can I see?
Buffon: It can be seen that the winners are almost always those goalkeepers with strong strength on the goal line.
Reporter: Sommer has a very good set in front of the goal
Buffon: Sommer is extraordinary in front of the goal, and Inter Milan has a valuable asset in the past two years. His saves are worth remembering for a season, not just those few times against Barcelona. And anyway: the center no longer presses the goalkeeper now because the coaches know the ball will be passed back to the midfielder so they will be at a disadvantage. Although this adds some dead ball time, and I don't like that.
Reporter: The rules will change from June 1: the goalkeeper holds the ball for more than eight seconds, and the offensive side will get a corner kick
Buffon: I hope the rules can be implemented well. I think I am the only goalkeeper who was called indirect free kick in the penalty area for holding the ball for eight seconds instead of six seconds. That was during the national youth team. To be honest, I wanted to eat that referee.
Reporter: Donaruma is not the only one in Italy: No, our training system is very prosperous. We have a great tradition. Now there are Merret, Vicario, Carneseki, Digregorio, Caprile and Falcone. I will give you two names: Although they are not playing in big clubs, you can see that they are fully capable of gaining a foothold. But Donarumma is indeed better.
Reporter: Let's talk about Juventus. What do you think of Digregorio
Buffon: Very good. It's not easy to replace a goalkeeper like Szczesni, especially for a first-time big club. I especially like his performance in difficult times: some people will sink, and he can withstand the pressure.
Reporter: The Serie A champion in Naples also has a contribution from Merrett
Buffon: He has turned the tide in many games, performed stably and always focused.
Reporter: Juventus' Serie A championship goal has become fourth. Isn't it a bit insufficient?
Buffon: The owner of the club is in charge of the situation. I am an outsider. Unfortunately, the one who paid the price in the end was Mota, a talented coach. Things didn't fit well, and I was curious to see him elsewhere as soon as possible: He did extraordinary results in Spezia and Bologna. But Tudor did a great job.
Reporter: Order and Results
Buffon: When I heard someone say that Tudor only met the minimum standard, I disagree. Not a miracle, but it is also a great job. You took over after the Fiorentina game, with Lazio, Roma and Bologna on the schedule, and you know you have to qualify for the Champions League. This is not taken for granted.
Reporter: Conte and Tudor, you know them very well. It's not easy to choose
Buffon: Two different coaches can achieve good results: no matter what choice they make, it will be good. Conte was a safe choice, but I wasn't so sure he would leave Naples and the enthusiasm of the people there. It might be a desire for a new challenge, and leading Naples to the Champions League will convince him to stay.
Reporter: Let's talk about Spaletti
Buffon: I said this after the match against Switzerland, and everyone thought Italy was performing badly at that time. But that's not the case: we have strong players who can win league titles and compete in European tournament finals.
We also have a really special coach like Spaletti, who also learned about the nuances of the team a year and a half later and wanted to lead us to success in the 2026 USC Canada-Mexico World Cup. A top coaching team, a Football Association Chairman who provides us with everything we need.