When you think of Gigi Buffon and Dortmund, the first thing that comes to mind can only be the night of 4 July 2006, a World Cup semi-final won in Germany, against Germany, "an epic victory that will never be changed for anything". Buffon, now head of the national team's delegation, reminisces about it in an interview with Vivo Azzurro TV, the FIGC's OTT platform available on the App Store, Google Play and at www.vivoazzurrotv.it, but it is not the only good memory that binds Buffon to the BVB Stadion, where Italy's adventure at EURO 2024 begins on Saturday evening against Albania. "I played there with Parma in the Champions League and saved two penalties (1997/98 season, 2-0 for the Germans, ed.), and I also played there and won with Juventus (3-0 in March 2015, ed.). It is a tough place, where the fans are felt and the tension is more than above average. But they are thrills and emotions that are worth experiencing," said Buffon.

For Buffon, after years as a player on the pitch, it is a different kind of feeling on the eve of a game: "Strange, I haven't had this type of feeling for several months now. As such an important event gets closer, the adrenaline rises, and therefore I imagine it's a reaction to my body compared to the 30 years I have been at this level. My role? I try to give my contribution to the cause: depending on what I perceive a player may be experiencing, I try to give him something more to get him through a difficult period or manage an enthusiastic moment".

There was also wishes of good luck fom Buffon to the 26 Italy players departing on this adventure: "I hope that the boys can have fun, because when you get older you understand the luck you had in being involved and experiencing these events. And then to show off what they have shown over these ten months: they are serious guys who care about the fate of the national team, and who individually have high technical levels and moral values. If they can go out with a free mind and express themselves, we will play a leading role in this European championship."

The full interview with Gianluigi Buffon is on Vivo Azzurro TV.