Italy's strength lies in unity: Buffon

Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says Italy's strength lies in the team's unity as they head into Euro 2016.

However, the 'Azurris' are without key players like Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio and critics believe they are going to have a tough time in the competition. But Buffon thinks otherwise.

"This national team is a good group with great technical staff," Buffon was quoted as saying by football-italia.net on Thursday.

"We haven't been particularly lucky with the injuries to Verratti and Marchisio, but Italy's strength has always been our group. Whoever replaces Marco or Claudio will do it to the best of their ability and with the utmost commitment," he added.

Buffon also said the team has let go off the debacle of the 2014 World Cup where they failed to cross the group stage.

"There's no hangover from the 2014 World Cup, if anything that's given us even more experience to draw on," he remarked.

--IANS

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