Buffon: Our fans inspired me

Gianluigi Buffon says he spent the night before Italy’s Euro 2012 semi-final win over Germany watching Italian fans celebrating on YouTube.

Cesare Prandelli’s side conquered the favoured Germans 2-1, with two first-half goals from Mario Balotelli, before Mesut Oezil slotted home a late penalty to his give side a glimmer of hope.

Buffon said that, instead of doing the required homework ahead of the crucial clash, he actually spent the previous night watching videos of Italy’s fans celebrating their quarter-final win over England.

“Last night I didn’t sleep but not to study the German strikers but to see on YouTube the videos of Italian fans celebrating after we won against England in the quarter-finals,” Buffon told reporters.

However, the Juventus goalkeeper was not entirely pleased with the win, and accused the team of being wasteful in front of goal.

“I was upset because we missed too many chances and we risked draw in a match we should have won easily,” he said.

“We have to concentrate more because you can miss so many chances that way. We still didn’t win (Euro 2012) so I will smile when we will win.”

Italy will face Spain in the Euro 2012 final on Sunday in a repeat of their opening match of the tournament which finished 1-1.

The Italians remain the only team to have scored against Spain in the tournament.