On Wednesday faced the last two world champions Italy, old winner, and Spain, winner of a new kind. Two antagonists of European football with twenty-two representatives on the grass, and among them, dressed differently, with gloved hands and responsibilities than those of their peers except in the main, victory, a singular vintage that tastes match between the two best goalkeepers in the last decade. One more. Iker Casillas defending goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon Spanish and Italian goal. Two goalkeepers years ahead but have its place on the Olympus of the goalkeepers. Access, which now seems not to have any candidate to inherit the status of undisputed number one has struggled with Juventus and Real Madrid in recent years.
At present there are great goalkeepers in the European landscape: the German Neuer, Spanish Valdes, Stekelenburg Dutch, French Lloris, Czech Cech or Julio Cesar. All of them first-class goalkeepers, but not yet in that category that they could include not only the Olympus of his generation, but of the best ever. Casillas and Buffon do have merit, a condition inherited from Oliver Kahn, the best before them, but after the Italian and Spanish there is a gap. No such great goalkeeper. Neuer may be the best placed, but we weigh its inaccuracies at certain times. Yet to progress further.
In any case, we have good alternatives in their respective countries: more boxes, because the health of the Spanish goalkeeper has one of the best moments in their history. Valdes, Queen, De Gea and Diego Lopez to name the most egregious examples, could cover guarantees the goal of the selection. There are many alternatives in Italy, historically a land of great goalkeepers. But Sirigu, 24 and recently signed by the new rich PSG seems the best placed to one day be the replacement for Gigi Buffon.
A duel to the story
Casillas and Buffon have fought for number one since I looked out the gloves being beardless beginners. From very young showed that they were called for large enterprises. Madrid Casillas and Buffon in Parma. The rise of Madrid was more meteoric. At just 19 years and competed and won his first Champions League final. A year later, Buffon, three years older than Móstoles, undertook the course to Turin to become the most expensive goalkeeper in history, after paying the Bianconeri club 50 million by its tab.
His duel reminiscent in some respects to two other teachers like Nadal and Federer. Between the two premium above all mutual respect and the crossing of good words. Furthermore, characteristics of marrying the two best players in the world. One, Spanish, more explosive, unusual, unpredictable, appearing when least expected, or rather, when they really expect. Another, Swiss, more serious, sober, regular, technical, easily giving the appearance of what is not.
There have been many direct duels, but there have been of substance. In 2003, when Casillas had already won his second Champions League title a year ago after being together with Zidane, the hero of the final, Juventus and Real Madrid in the semifinals faced when it assumed the remembrance of the end of 1998. The Italian club was over and won the ticket to the final. In addition, the duel went to goalkeeper gloves Juventus: Casillas was an error while Buffon saved a penalty to Figo when Madrid wanted the comeback. However, Buffon will resist the title after losing the final on penalties against Milan. A tournament, the Champions League, which has not yet risen.
But the big match of their careers come in the summer of 2008, in the quarterfinals of the Euro, when Spain beat a game against Italy. The enemy never wanted to see the damn round. The regulation time ended in a draw and reached the so-called luck of the penalties. That moment in which the porters replace players in guard gloria.Cslaampoules and Buffon, the two best goalkeepers in the world, face to face. But it was Spanish, after stopping two penalties by one Italian, the hero of a series that ended at once with several ghosts from our selection.
Until then, Buffon was considered the best, though he was only half a step ahead. Moreover after being world champion two years ago and achieved the Silver Ball of L'Équipe, the roof of his career. But, although the penalties are not the ones who decide the fate of a janitor, that victory symbolized a change at the top for a goalkeeper, Madrid, who had many years offering a spectacular performance.
Both have also known face less appreciative of their profession. Buffon has had many injury problems that have undermined its performance in recent years, besides playing a year in second division as a result of Moggigate. Casillas, meanwhile, lived difficult moments between the Euro and the World Cup when they came down performance and criticism, to the point of questioning his place in South Africa. However, it was in the finals where he regained his status as undisputed number one. As always, Iker said the most difficult times.
It is difficult to pinpoint the best goalkeeper of the day. Today, after his injury problems and the emergence of new talents, Buffon is not granted that status, but still a keeper full guarantees. Casillas holds the status, not surprisingly, was chosen by the IFFHS last best goalkeeper in the world ahead of Julius Caesar and Cech. In any case, Casillas and Buffon have fought for a decade, with teachers in their task, that number one leading to the back.
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Photos | jmage | Miguel Lopez
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