France's star midfielder Paul Pogba has admitted that he felt extremely sad to see his Juventus team-mate Gianluigi Buffon crying following Italy's European Championship elimination, but expressed his delight to make it through to the semifinals of the tournament. France claimed a comfortable 5-2 win over Italy in their quarter-final clash at the Stade de France to set up a last four encounter against world champions Germany, who defeated Italy in a bizarre 6-5 penalty shootout.
France's star midfielder Paul Pogba has admitted that he felt extremely sad to see his Juventus team-mate Gianluigi Buffon crying following Italy's European Championship elimination, but expressed his delight to make it through to the semifinals of the tournament. France claimed a comfortable 5-2 win over Italy in their quarter-final clash at the Stade de France to set up a last four encounter against world champions Germany, who defeated Italy in a bizarre 6-5 penalty shootout.
Pogba, who scored a goal in the win against Iceland, said that Germany would provide a tough test to his side while adding that the same would have been expected against Antonio Conte's side had they progressed. Jubilant with the win, the 23-year-old midfielder said his side are now looking forward to maintain their winning momentum in order to book their place in the tournament finale. Pogba, however, expressed his disappointment over Italy's penalty defeat to Germany, saying that Buffon's side performed really well during the tournament and that he felt extremely proud of them.
'To see Gigi crying made me feel very bad sat in front of the television. He is a great goalkeeper, he gave his best and so did the team. They produced a very good game, but this is football,' Pogba was quoted as saying by goal.com. France will now lock horns with Germany in the mouth-watering semifinal clash in Marseille on Friday.
No regrets for Buffon
"The tears are for my disappointment. It was a magical experience that revived something in all of us and our fans, but it's come to an end," an emotional Buffon told media after Germany's 6-5 penalty shoot-out win in Bordeaux. After their quarter-final finished 1-1 in regulation time and neither team scored in extra-time, Italy's bid to put two forgettable World Cup campaigns behind only unravelled at a dramatic penalty shootout.
Italy spurned the chance to clinch their last four spot when Graziano Pelle hit a pitiful effort wide of the post as the Germans misfired. That, and other misses, proved costly for Italy later on, as the penalty shootout went to a total of 18 kicks. After Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian saw his shot saved by Manuel Neuer, Jonas Hector stepped up to beat Buffon and send World Cup holders Germany into a semi-final against France or Iceland, who play on Sunday.
"It's a shame. When a team (Germany) misses three penalties out of five and you still don't manage to win it becomes complicated," said Buffon. "Sometimes it goes your way, other times it doesn't. But that's all a big part of sport, and you have to accept it. "We wanted to leave this tournament without any regrets and that's what we will do. We made our people proud and for this we can't be sorry."
It was Antonio Conte's last game as coach ahead of his move to Premier League giants Chelsea.
But Juventus goalkeeper Buffon, 38, indicated the defeat would not hasten his international retirement. "Personally, I'm fine. I still get fired up by these games and I feel that I've still got something to give to this squad," said Buffon, who believes there is also a big future for Italy's young team. "I'm happy and proud to have worked alongside this squad.
They (Germany) deserved victory more than us, but this game will serve the lads well."
With inputs from ANI and PTI
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