Buffon eyes quarters spot

Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon claims the Azzurri’s minimum target at the World Cup is to reach the quarter-final stages.

The 2006 winners finished runners-up in Euro 2012.

“I can’t say with absolute certainty that we will reach the final or the semi-finals,” Buffon said yesterday. “I believe we are reliable team, in the sense we are able to win the games we have to win.

“At times, we are also able to surprise in games where we are not considered favourites. If we reach the quarter-finals, it will already be a good World Cup for us.”

The Juventus veteran goalkeeper knows Italy are going to have to overcome some very good teams if they are to be a serious threat to win the competition for the fifth time.

“We are a matured team,” Buffon said. “We have few limitations and for that reason, we are a reliable side.

“But we have to be honest and recognise the value of other rivals.

“When you talk about Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Germany, they are all a step ahead of us.”