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European Championship | Round of 16

Jun 27, 2016 at 5pm UK

Italy
2-0
Spain

Chiellini (33'), Pelle (91')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Matteo Darmian: 'Gianluigi Buffon better than David de Gea'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter

Published: June 24 2016 | 15:30

Last updated: June 30 2016 | 16:35

Italy and Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian says that David de Gea is a top-class goalkeeper, but is just edged out by Gianluigi Buffon as the world's best.

Matteo Darmian has admitted that he feels honoured to play in the same Italy side as Gianluigi Buffon, who he rates above Manchester United teammate David de Gea as the best in the world.

The two goalkeepers are likely to start Monday evening's round-of-16 tie at Euro 2016, as Spain prepare to take on the Azzurri in a repeat of the 2012 final.

Both Buffon and De Gea are ranked among the finest keepers on the planet, but Darmian believes that his compatriot just edges things when it comes to being the greatest of the lot.

"It's great to play against David, he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world," he told Sport360. "Of course it will be difficult to score but we also have a great goalkeeper.

"They are two of the best goalkeepers in the world and yes, there are similarities between David and Gigi for sure. But I think that Gianluigi Buffon is the best goalkeeper of all time. For me as a defender I feel very lucky to play with them."

Darmian featured in two of Italy's group-stage fixtures, playing an hour in the 2-0 win over Belgium and 30 minutes of the 1-0 defeat to Republic of Ireland last time out.