Buffon on why he’s ‘moved’ by Balotelli and Allegri is ‘an angel’ compared to Conte | OneFootball

Juventus and Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon admitted Massimiliano Allegri was ‘an angel’ compared to Antonio Conte, whom he categorises as a sergeant, adding that Gian Piero Gasperini ‘wanted’ him at Atalanta to ‘win the Champions League’ together.

In a lengthy interview published by Corriere della Sera, the former Azzurri goalkeeper claimed he was ‘lucky’ to have played for managers with different qualities, as he was coached both by ‘psychologists’ and bosses who ‘shake players up’, putting the likes of Conte and Fabio Capello in the latter group.

Italy’s head coach Luciano Spalletti reacts as he attends a press conference at the team’s base camp in Iserlohn, on June 30, 2024, after they were eliminated by Switzerland in a round of 16 match of the UEFA Euro 2024 football championship. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Buffon also conceded to be moved by Mario Balotelli’s latest attempt to get back in the game at 34, as much as he believes the striker has ‘lost his way’.

Buffon turned down Gasperini’s offer at Atalanta and explains difference between Conte and Allegri

“Atalanta wanted me,” Buffon admitted in the interview.

“Gasperini wrote me a WhatsApp message: ‘With you, we’ll win the Champions League.’ But Pirlo convinced me to stay at Juve.”

The Bianconeri legend named Capello, Conte, Allegri and Carlo Ancelotti among the best managers he had throughout his career, although they belonged to different categories.

“I’ve been lucky,” he added.

“I’ve had the sergeants: Scala, Capello and Conte. The ones who shake players up. And then I’ve had the psychologists, the ones who calm them down: Ancelotti and Allegri.”

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 24: Gianluigi Buffon of Italy arrives before the International Friendly match between Ecuador and Italy at Red Bull Arena on March 24, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Buffon recalled two different moments when asked to describe the coaching styles of sergeants and psychologists.

“I had an incredible game, an unbelievable series of saves, falling and getting back up, over and over,” he said.

“Capello called me in. He showed me the footage of the match and said: ‘Gigi, this just isn’t good enough.’ I was incredibly upset.”

“After getting used to Conte, who would give us terrible scoldings, Allegri felt like an angel.

“Before one match, on the tactics board, he simply wrote: 3. ‘You’re three times stronger than your opponents. Now go out there and win’.”

Finally, the 46-year-old shared his thoughts on Balotelli, who returned to Serie A with Genoa at 34, although he ‘lost focus on the real goal’.

“He lost his way a bit because he lost focus on the real goal: becoming the champion he had the potential to be,” Buffon explained.

“But seeing him at 34 with Genoa, still trying, moves me.“