Buffon hopes to avoid shootout

Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon laughed off the prospect of a penalty shootout against England in tomorrow’s European Championship quarter-final.

The potential for this game to be decided on spot-kicks has been much-discussed in the build-up to the Kiev clash.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart revealed he had already studied videos of penalties taken by Italy’s players as part of his preparations for the match.

But when Buffon was asked at yesterday if he had followed suit, he appeared to insinuate jokingly that he and his fellow keepers might spend this evening watching videos of a very different kind.

“We have not watched any videos,” Buffon said. “We will watch a video tonight...”

Buffon and understudy Salvatore Sirigu then burst out laughing, both struggling to compose themselves before the press conference resumed.

However, Buffon had earlier treated the subject with greater seriousness.

“For everyone involved, for the sake of our hearts, it would be better if we get the job done without having to resort to penalties,” he said.

“But if it does then we will just have to deal with it.”

Hart revealed Buffon, who has more than 100 caps, was one of his goalkeeping heroes and the Italian returned the compliment yesterday.

“Together with [Manuel] Neuer and Sirigu, he can become the best goalkeeper in the world,” the 34-year-old said.

“The difference between a normal keeper and a great goalkeeper is the attention to detail, not to commit mistakes during one season.

“The maximum number of mistakes a keeper can commit is two or three.”

Hart is not the only player who could crush Italy’s Euro 2012 dream.

Buffon said: “Wayne Rooney has charisma and is a leader, dragging the team along with him, while John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole are all players who know how to win.”

Terry and Cole helped Chelsea win the Champions League against all odds this season and Buffon drew parallels between the European club champions and England.

“Chelsea have played well in defence against Barcelona and Bayern Munich,” he said.

“Probably, Bayern and Barcelona are the stronger teams but Chelsea won the match.

“I think, in this way, we can find similarities between England and Chelsea.”

Meanwhile, Italy midfielder Thiago Motta has emerged as an injury doubt for the game.

Azzurri team doctor Enrico Castellacci confirmed Motta had suffered a hamstring strain and, although he was able to train, it was not certain he would be fit to start at the Olympic Stadium.

Castellacci said: “Motta is training with other players and we will assess him.”

Brazil-born Motta started all three of the Azzurri’s group games as their most advanced midfielder.

Italy have already lost their most experienced defender, Giorgio Chiellini, to injury.