Sirigu: Buffon is not only a great player and captain, but also a problem-solver in the group

Italy goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu has spoken of his admiration for captain Gianluigi Buffon, despite the fact that he is yet to feature at Euro 2012.

Kiev: The Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper has only been capped twice by the Azzurri, but maintained that he has no qualms about playing second-fiddle to the Juventus goalkeeper.

Buffon has been in inspired form in the European Championship, making a number of key saves, whilst also saving an Ashley Cole penalty in the 4-2 shoot-out victory over England in the quarter-final. Sirigu insists that Buffon remains a key figure - not only for him as a goalkeeper, but for the entire squad as a leader. "His most important quality, before being a great player or a great captain, is that Gianluigi [Buffon] is a very down-to-earth man," the 25-year-old told RMC Sport. "It`s nice, he is amiable. He is the person who solves problems, who comforts us, that`s a reference point in the group." Cesare Prandelli`s men encounter Spain in the Euro 2012 final in Kiev on Sunday. Goal.com