GiGi Buffon with a spectacular save for the Azzurri ———- Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Gianluigi_Buffon_Euro_2012_vs_England_saved_penalty.JPG
19 years and counting, with Perin and Sirigu lurking in the shadows, UEFA 2016 might just be Buffon’s last ride. However, Buffon is like a nice scotch, he just keeps getting better with age. Over the years Buffon has played well in international competition. He helped Italy win a World Cup in 2006 and get to the finals of the European Championship in 2012. He has been a rock in goal, as he set a Serie A record for the most minutes gone without conceding a goal at 974. Buffon is the commander of the Azzurri defense. He links up well with the likes of his fellow countrymen and teammates: Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli, and Giorgio Chiellini. His agility and football intelligence have helped him rise up to be one of the greatest goalkeepers of this era. Euro 2016 will be Buffon’s fifth ever European Cup. Only making it as far as the finals once, you can bet Buffon is going to be playing inspired football as he chases down one of the few accomplishments he has yet to achieve. As the Italian national team keeps getting younger and younger, Buffon has been the age-old staple. The captain and the leader, watch out for Gianluigi Buffon.
Starters:
Forwards: Zlatan Ibrahimović
Midfielders: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Dimitri Payet, Robbie Keane, Arda Turan
Defenders: Jordi Alba, Vlad Chiricheș, Ashley Williams, Taulant Xhaka
Substitutes:
Forwards: Eden Hazard, Jakub Błaszczykowski
Midfielders: Mesut Özil, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Gökhan Inler, James Milner, Balázs Dzsudzsák
Sources:
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/news/newsid=2349179.html
Written By: Austin Tran and Chris Arora
How to cite this article: “Euro 2016 Key Players to Watch” Written by Austin Tran and Chris Arora (2016), European Cup 2016 Guide, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/european-cup-2016-guide/ (accessed on (date)).
