Buffon rues Italy showing

Gianluigi Buffon has expressed disappointment with Italy’s performance in Tuesday’s 2-0 World Cup qualification win over Malta.

Two goals from Mario Balotelli helped the Euro 2012 finalists to the three points as Buffon kept out a Michael Mifsud penalty, but the Juventus goalkeeper feels the Italians allowed their opponents too much space throughout the match.

“There were some difficult playing conditions, as it was very windy and the pitch was extremely wet. Plus if there isn’t 100 per cent focus and concentration, then you are going to run into trouble,” Buffon said.

“I wasn’t the only one who got angry, as we all did. These situations happen when there are games that aren’t high profile.

“It is a characteristic we have had for years, as we always seem to leave it open for ourselves, our fans and our opponents.

“The penalty was an incident, but added to the other five or six chances it showed it was not a walk in the park. Those no longer exist in football, especially away from home.”

Italy top Group B with 13 points from five games, three points ahead of second-placed Bulgaria.