Gigi Buffon reveals the advice he gave Alvaro Morata to turn his Juventus career around as Italy prepare to face Spain.
The Round of 16 kicks off on Monday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stade de France in Paris.
Naturally, questions during the Press conference were about his Juventus teammate Morata.
“Alvaro is still a young guy and at times even he doesn’t realise how good he is. He has one quality that only great players have, which is that in big games he is always a protagonist and often scores a goal. He’s proving that again in this competition.
“Of course Spain are not just Morata, but he is their main striker and considering his form is the Number One danger.”
Morata had some difficulties, as did all of Juve, early this term and Buffon’s almost parental advice proved helpful.
“I remember at the start of the season and, like all lads when they are not going through a positive moment, they tend to get depressed, find little alibis and feel sorry for themselves.
“I told him that when he stopped feeling sorry for himself, he’d get back to making the difference. That proved to be the case. He is intelligent, he listens to advice and puts himself up for the challenge.
“The way he ended the season and what he’s doing in the Euros confirms all of that.”
Buffon is 38 years old, but wants to carry on until he appears in the 2018 World Cup.
“The decision is not made by a player, but by the performances on the field and the decisions of the Coach. My intention is to play on for another two years and hope to do so at my current level. If the next Italy CT sees it the same way, then we can go forward together.
“In this role, in this sport, there is no guarantee you’ll be first choice. You have to keep earning it, because the moment you make a mistake, someone is ready to take your place.
“I think the joy of sport at the age of 38 is to live and experience these games as if they were the most important thing in your life. I still feel the emotion and even psychosomatic fever after games...”
Which goalkeepers most impressed Buffon at Euro 2016?
“Manuel Neuer is doing very well, yesterday I was very impressed by the Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, while other shot-stoppers performed well despite their team not progressing in the tournament.”
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