![]() ![]() Toldo cannot be faulted for his aptitude, as Inter press their claims for a first Scudetto victory since 1989.īut Buffon has been just as prolific with Juventus where after an error-ridden start to the campaign he has returned to his agile best in time for the title run-in. "I know just a way to try to show Mr Trapattoni that he could count on me: giving my best on the pitch," he said. Toldo set his considerable frame back on the bench but with a new-found determination to reclaim his starting-place. Trapattoni left Buffon the bench for the first three qualifying games but the old order was restored for the remainder of the campaign, as the extrovert with a penchant for luminous short-sleeved shirts and shaved eyebrows stepped back into the limelight. "A rivalry with Buffon exists but only in the sporting sense we are still friends." "I do not want to give up my place in the side," he said. In fact, from that moment a genuine rivalry for possession of the No 1 shirt was born something even the modest Toldo recognised as Trapattoni named his first squad for the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign. He did not disappoint and a series of masterly displays culminated in a heroic performance in the penalty shoot-out win over Holland in the semi-finals, when he saved three Dutch spot-kicks. That probably would have remained the case if not for Buffon's hand injury on the eve of Euro 2000 finals, which gave Toldo a belated opportunity to show his worth. He expected to step up for the Euro 2000 qualifying campaign, but there waiting in the wings was Buffon who first exploded on to the scene as a 17-year-old, leaving Toldo with the tag of the perennial bench warmer. Toldo, for his part, has become accustomed to playing second fiddle at international level, having been reserve to Gianluca Pagliuca during France 98. The disparity in the fees seemed to have cemented Buffon's position as Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni's regular starter ahead of the group opener against Ecuador.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |