Gianluigi Buffon missed Juventus match against Sampdoria due to ‘World Cup heartbreak’
The goalkeeping great has been distraught since Italy were beaten by Sweden over two legs
Posted Monday, November 20, 2017 by Dreamteamfc.com
The heartbreaking sight of Gianluigi Buffon in tears this week was tough to witness.
The goalkeeping great was thoroughly distraught as his international career came to a close after Italy were beaten in their World Cup play-off by Sweden.
Buffon was hysterical in mid week
The Swedes clung onto a battling 0-0 draw in Milan after a 1-0 first leg victory, meaning the Italians won't take part at Russia next summer.
And it appears the defeat has really left its mark on Buffon.
The 40-year-old was duly left out of the Juventus side to play Sampdoria on Sunday because he's still emotionally recovering from the failure.
Juve manager Max Allegri said: "They're getting over the disappointment but after 15 days with the national team they spent a notable amount of physical and - above all - mental energy.
"It would have been Buffon's sixth World Cup and it was a big disappointment. But I found him in form. He had a good reaction."
And he was sorely missed.
In Buffon's absence, Juve were beaten 3-2 with both of their goals coming in injury time after a torrid display during the normal 90 minutes.
As a result the Italian champions fell four points behind Napoli in a fiercely competitive Serie A title race.
They'll be hoping Buffon is in the right frame of mind for the small matter of a Champions League tie with Barcelona on Wednesday night...
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