Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has told Scotland to be afraid ahead of their crucial Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday.
The encounter at Hampden Park is likely to decide which of the two sides will qualify for next summer’s finals, with France certain to qualify if they beat Ukraine.
Buffon is confident Italy will be able to cope with the burden of expectation, and expects Scotland to struggle because they are not used to playing in such high pressure matches.
“We could be afraid if we didn’t have experience but the squad is full of players who have experience of Serie A, the Champions League and the World Cup so we will not find ourselves unprepared,” the Juventus goalkeeper told The Guardian.
“If anyone is afraid it is Scotland who are afraid of us.”
Buffon did admit though that he has been impressed by Scotland’s challenge in Group B.
“Scotland are always worthy of respect and football in Scotland is evolving,” he said.
“Perhaps compared to us they have been inferior technically but from the point of view of character they have always had a good squad that can narrow the gap.
“As a goalkeeper I always look out for my opponent’s strikers and I must say that James McFadden is a very good player and Kenny Miller has also impressed me.
“These are top players. We are not playing against a side from the Scottish fourth division.”
