Gigi Buffon warns it will be very tough in the quarter-final against Germany, but Italy “were vastly underrated” with Spain.


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The Azzurri swept through 2-0 against La Furia Roja with goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Graziano Pellè.

“We put in a good performance, but after the first half the 1-0 result was frankly less than we deserved,” the goalkeeper told Sky Sport Italia.13568954_1168417426544435_8518467286740181759_o

“We knew that the inertia of the game could change after the break. That proved to be the case, but we didn’t just focus on defending. In fact, we had several chances to double our lead before Pellè’s goal.

“After many years of defeats to Spain, we made up for it. OK, it was only a Round of 16 tie, but it’s better than nothing!”

Italy will face Germany in the quarter-final on Saturday July 2 in Bordeaux.

“There is a long and tortuous road ahead of us and very difficult teams on our path. We cannot yet say that it is a great Euros for Italy, as we’re only in the quarter-finals.

“Having said that, I will not forget that many thought very little of us before the tournament began. We have proved that we were vastly underrated and I am proud of that.”