Interview to the goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon

How did you start as a goalkeeper?
I entered my present profession by accident— a series of geographical, personal, and legal coincidences. A blend of boredom, curiosity, and vanity.

What do you think about the media's reception of your activity?
I am responsible for intercepting the ball at a crucial moment; I can only succeed or fail in my attempt. The records of my actions are minimal— repetitions of the climactic moments, whether they are mistakes or achievements. I have the idea that although a man's life is compounded of thousands and thousands of moments and days, those many instants and days can be reduced to a single one. So my single image in the media is precisely about the moments when I try to stop the ball. They are all stills of instantaneous decisions.

Why do you think football is so popular?
Football is about enchantment. For an hour and a half, the world stops because a ball is being chased and a different kind of time unfolds, capturing the concentration of the players and the audience and generating its own story. One player or another is praised or blamed, bets are placed. Afterwards, the world is normal again and the spell evaporates.
For me, the ball plays the role of this magic object in that for a short period, a group of people are pursuing it and millions of viewers are following its route.

Many people talk about football as a circus, and I find it curious that your name— Buffon— means "clown" or "joker." What do you think about this strange coincidence?
I like to think that I am a buffon, a clown, entrusted with the task of entertaining people, playing a very stupid role. I'm often blamed for playing dirty tricks, like if I suddenly start kicking the ball outside my area, forgetting my position at the goal. Being a clown is also a question of playing with the rules. If you play with the rules, you may become a joker or a criminal, but in a sense you change people's own rules of thinking.

What is the role of chance in the game?
I think in general, games are about a tension between chance and rules, that's what keeps the attention alive: the desire and the possibility of breaking the rules, of being lucky or of seeing something unexpected. Maybe in the case of football, this situation is more evident for the audience. Anyhow, every time I start playing I really don't know what will happen, especially because my position as a goalkeeper is very much about observing, waiting, and then reacting at the right moment. No matter how much I practice, I am unable to control the whole situation and I really enjoy this uncertainty.

Is it true about the goalkeeper's fear of the penalty kick?
I don't think I have committed every possible mistake— because mistakes are innumerable— but many of them, and I really enjoy failure and that people keep talking about the mistake for weeks.

Entertainment: Capital Crossword

Down

1. Uganda
2. Denmark
3. Ethiopia
4. Cape Verde

7. Bahamas

11. Malta

14. Ghana

15. Egypt

16. Lebanon

17. Poland

19. Peru

Across

2. Venezuela

5. Ecuador

6. Qatar

8. Austria

9. Fiji

10. Cuba

12. Bulgaria

13. Zambia

15. Australia

16. Barbados

18. Norway

20. Italy

21. Angola

22. Iran

Horoscope

ARIES :With your ruling planet, Mars, moving into Libra today you should find that your love life becomes much easier today and for the next few weeks. You’ll be a lot more easy-going, although you won’t want to feel smothered by anyone, so make sure that you schedule some time just for you!

TAURUS :Work or school should become infinitely easier from today, thanks to the transit of Mars into Libra. The influence of Mars will ensure enough of a go-getting streak, but the harmonizing vibes of Libra will channel that in a productive and beneficial way. In short, success is yours for the taking!

GEMINI :If you suddenly feel overcome with a need to develop your artistic or creative side then you should get planning, Gemini. The shift of fiery Mars into Libra, which is the sign of beauty and harmony, suggests that now is the time to nurture any hidden talents!

CANCER :Family life is likely to take the focus today and for the next few weeks, thanks to Mars moving into Libra. Generally family relationships will improve massively and home life will become very relaxed. However, for today there are a few gripes that need to be settled with a family member!

LEO :You are likely to be bitten by the home-improvement bug today, thanks to the transit of Mars into Libra. Anything messy or unsightly in your room or your home will only irritate you, while anything that creates a light and airy atmosphere will make you feel more settled!

VIRGO :Your thoughts are likely to turn to money today; no matter how much cash you have you will want more. The fiery influence of Mars in Libra will bring out a more determined streak to earn more, so now is the time to commit to a regular savings plan rather than frittering away your hard earned cash.

LIBRA : With the transit of Mars into your sign you are likely to become that little bit more fiery and in need of some personal space, especially today, when people get a little too demanding of your time! Make sure that you tend to your own needs as well as to everyone else’s today!

SCORPIO :The transit of Mars into Libra is likely to soften your whole demeanor, which will be useful today in helping to calm the less helpful influences of Pluto! However, keep a piece of citrine or hematite with you to keep that blue mood at bay and remember your friends are there for y

SAGITTARIUS :If you have been neglecting or overlooking your friends recently, especially if work or school has been absorbing all your time, then today will be the day that you get a sharp reminder, thanks to Mars shifting into Libra. However, balancing the key areas of your life will become a lot easier from today!

CAPRICORN :A surge of fiery energy is likely to bring out a more extravert streak, which will boost your confidence levels no end over the next few weeks. Take advantage of the transit of Mars into Libra today by arranging a fun evening out with your friends. It’s good to let your hair down once in a while!

AQUARIUS : Any feelings of restlessness or discontent should ease significantly, thanks to the harmonizing effect of Mars in Libra. Plans, aims and goals will, on the whole, be a lot more balanced and well considered from today; the only problem will be in choice, but keep a piece of clear quartz to help you think more clearly!

PISCES : A temporary blip in your cash flow and a minor misunderstanding in romance are likely to be the only blots on the landscape in an otherwise fulfilling day! Don’t worry though; the transit of Mars into Libra suggests that a source of comfort and support in the form of an indispensable friend will be on hand!