The evening will be special above all for Gigi Buffon, and for three reasons: the captain of the national team will play his 136th match, equaling Fabio Cannavaro's record for appearances for the Azzurri; he will play it in his home stadium, the Juventus Stadium which is hosting Italy for the first time (his debut in a private structure); and, customary note, he will play against the Czech Republic, his wife Alena Seredova's national team.
But above all, tonight's Italy-Czech Republic in Turin (20,45 pm) could mean for Prandelli's men the pass for the 2014 Brazilian World Cup, with two games to spare (a record). Not that qualification is at risk, given the competition and the calendar, but closing the practice early, playing at home, would be a big sigh of relief for the coach from Brescia, in a farewell mood after the World Cup, and for the players engaged in a delicate start to the season with their respective clubs, between leagues and - in some cases - the Champions League.
