Buffon plays down Italy’s Euro hopes

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon does not believe his side are one of the favourites to win Euro 2016 this summer.

The Azzurri reached the final of the competition in 2012 when they were defeated 4-0 by Spain, but they have not claimed overall glory at a European Championships since they won their maiden title in 1968.

Antonio Conte’s current squad were unbeaten during qualifying, but they have been handed a tough draw in France, as they will face Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland in Group E, and captain Buffon believes his side cannot be considered amongst the favourites to win the competition.

He said: “I place Italy among the main outsiders, behind Germany, France, Spain and Belgium, who, on paper, I would put in the front line.”

The Juventus stopper is set to play at his ninth major international tournament this summer and he won his 157th cap for the Azzurri during their recent friendly success over Scotland. Buffon will turn 39 next January, but the 2006 World Cup winner insists that this will not be his last major tournament, as he is hopeful of playing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He added: “I want to play until I am 40 years old and I have set myself a goal of playing at a sixth World Cup.” Italy are available at 17.00 to claim overall glory this summer, while they are priced at 15.00 to replicate their final appearance of four years ago.