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Keeping the faith Buffon adds bravado, heritage to Italian campaignPosted: Wednesday May 01, 2002 7:38 AMROME (AP) -- At the age of 19, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made an auspicious debut for the Italian national team. Facing Russia on a snowy Moscow field in a 1997 World Cup qualifying playoff, the young player entered in shorts and an untucked jersey. "My long pants were annoying me," Buffon said, looking back on that crucial day for Italian soccer. "They made me feel awkward in my movements." Buffon, coming on as a substitute for injured starter Gianluca Pagliuca, proceeded to make a sprawling save shortly after leaving the frigid bench. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and Italy defeated Russia 1-0 at home two weeks later to qualify for that summer's World Cup. Buffon was only the third-stringer for the Azzurri at the time, but he managed to make an indelible impression on the minds of Italian soccer fans. Pagliuca returned to lead Italy to the quarterfinals in the 1998 World Cup, with Buffon looking on as an eager backup. At the 2000 European Championships, Francesco Toldo stood between the posts and performed memorably in Italy's run to the finals before another loss to France. Buffon was slated to start at Euro 2000 until an injury kept him out of the competition. Now 24, he is the likely No. 1 for Italy in the upcoming World Cup. And this time he has plenty of time to think about what it will all mean. But with Toldo also on the squad, Buffon is hesitant to claim the starting spot just yet. "Francesco was really great," Buffon said of Toldo after the Internazionale 'keeper performed well in a recent league match. "And therefore he received the result that he deserved. "I'm also doing well at the moment, nothing exceptional, but efficient. That said, the ball is in the coach's hands. With the national team, no one can feel like they're a permanent fixture." But all indications from Azzurri coach Giovanni Trapattoni are that Buffon will get the nod in Japan and South Korea. The "Trap" seems inclined to go with youth wherever possible, meaning the 30-year-old Toldo will probably be relegated to the bench. Buffon would then become the first Azzurri goalkeeper to wear a recently revealed all-black uniform. The dark threads are a break from the traditional gray shirt Italian netminders have worn in the past, and were introduced with great fanfare this spring in fashion-conscious Italy. The jerseys should suit Buffon's bravado style. While wearing the normal black uniforms of his club team, Serie A powerhouse Juventus, Buffon can often be seen taking risks close to his net, trying to outdribble opponents and even using headers to clear his penalty area on some occasions. One such risk cost Juve a goal this season, but his reflex saves are what makes him so valuable. After seven seasons with Serie A club Parma, Buffon became the most expensive goalkeeper in Italian soccer history last summer when Juve attained his services for a record 75 billion lire (US$32 million). Making his debut in the top Italian league at the age of 17, Buffon took over the starting job at Parma as an 18-year-old phenomenon in 1996. Since then, he has made 24 appearances for the Italian national team, but has yet to play in the World Cup. Buffon shares the same name with another great 'keeper. Distant cousin Lorenzo played for AC Milan in the 1950s and 1960s, and was also a member of the Italian national team. Buffon's immediate family members were also all members of an Italian national team. His father Adriano was a junior weightlifting champion, mother Stella was a champion discus thrower, and Buffon's two sisters, Guendalina and Veronica, played on Italy's national volleyball team. Even Buffon's uncle, Angelo Masocco, was a professional basketball player. So on that wintry day in Russia five years ago, Buffon was officially welcomed as a member of his "national team family." "Above all, my debut became sort of my baptism," Buffon said.
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