ITALY-GHANA: Players' Quotes

13 June 2006

Andrea PIRLO (ITA), Budweiser Man of the Match

I'm happy with the way I'm playing. We worked hard this week to get to where we are and will continue to improve over the next five or six days. The goal came at an important time for the whole team; we had been creating a lot of chances. It's a good start.

Francesco TOTTI (ITA)
We played well and deserved the win. The fans were great and gave us a real lift with their support. I went off not as a precautionary measure or because I was afraid of any physical contact with the Ghana players, but because I took a nasty knock.

Vincenzo IAQUINTA (ITA)
I can't express how it felt when I scored, I couldn't believe what was happening. My team-mates' reaction during the celebrations said it all – it was unbelievable. It's been a difficult season for me, and things didn't go according to plan. This goal is for my family.

Gianluigi BUFFON (ITA)
It's a good, positive start, which is important in a competition such as the World Cup. Ghana were physical and skilful, as we knew they would be, but we put in a fine performance. We showed that we're in this together, and that makes me very happy. It even makes me feel like talking again.

Cristian ZACCARDO (ITA)
It's all a bit of a fairytale. I've been finding it hard to get to sleep for a while now, but tonight was like dreaming with my eyes wide open – a dream come true.

Alberto GILARDINO (ITA)
The first game in the FIFA World Cup is a big moment. I'm happy with my performance, I didn't score this time around but I'm sure I'll get my name on the score sheet (later).

Stephen APPIAH (GHA)
We didn't take our chances, Italy were more clinical. We have to learn from our mistakes for the next games. We were naive tonight and gave the ball away too much in dangerous areas. I think we've got the players to do well in the rest of our matches.

Emmanuel PAPPOE (GHA)
The FIFA World Cup is the ultimate football competition and it was great for us to play in such a fantastic game. The loss isn't down to any one player, you win and lose as a team. I must admit that playing in that kind of stadium in front of so many fans sent shivers down my spine.

Otto ADDO (GHA)
Many of us were playing the most important game of our lives. We put in a good performance and showed what we can do. That said, I'm sure we can improve - we need to be more careful in defence, for example. The only really disappointing aspect of the evening was the result. It's going to be tough for us now.

Samuel KUFFOUR (GHA)
Not scoring cost us dearly. We created some clear-cut chances and should have put a few of them away. Now we'll have to give it our best shot against the Czech Republic. We changed our formation after the break but it wasn't enough to turn things around. Tonight is a sad moment for my family, my country and for the whole of Africa. What do I think of the Italian players? Most of them are good friends of mine.

Hans SARPEI (GHA)
Italy are a great side and they showed it tonight. We played well in midfield and had chances to score, but unfortunately the goal never came. We're very pleased that we matched them for the whole game, even if we didn't get the result we wanted.