Buffon backs Di Gregorio at Juventus and claims: ‘I see myself in Carnesecchi’ | OneFootball

Gianluigi Buffon has commented on Michele Di Gregorio’s difficult recent spell at Juventus, urging the club to rally around their goalkeeper rather than pile on the pressure during a challenging period.

Writing in La Gazzetta dello Sport, via CalcioMercato, the Juventus legend and current Italy national team delegation chief was measured but supportive in his assessment of the former Monza stopper, who has come under intense scrutiny, including on social media, following a string of unconvincing performances.

“Last season he was a pleasant surprise, decisive in securing Champions League qualification,” Buffon said. “Lately things haven’t been going as expected, but these are phases that can happen to anyone.”

MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 22: Michele Di Gregorio of Juventus saves a shot from Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Juventus at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 22, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Rather than calling for Di Gregorio to be dropped, Buffon framed any potential rest as a tool rather than a punishment.

“The manager and the club must close ranks, stay close to him and work out the best thing to do,” he said. “If a goalkeeper is given a break, it doesn’t mean he’s being written off, it can help him rediscover his composure and distance himself from certain pressures.”

Buffon: ‘I see myself in Carnesecchi’

Buffon then turned his attention to the broader landscape of Italian goalkeeping, and his verdict was emphatic.

With the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Guglielmo Vicario, Alex Meret, Marco Carnesecchi and Elia Caprile all operating at the highest level, he believes the Azzurri are uniquely well-stocked between the posts.

“The only problem Italy won’t have is the goalkeeper position, we have three or four among the best twenty in the world,” he said.

BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta BC gestures during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Torino FC at Gewiss Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

It was Carnesecchi, currently at Atalanta and a name repeatedly linked with Juventus in recent transfer windows, who drew the most personal praise. “I see myself in him in the way he approaches a game,” Buffon said. “He is bold, a bit swashbuckling. But everyone must make their own path.”