Buffon speaks of ‘frustration’ despite beating Malta

A brace from the in-form Mario Balotelli earned coach Cesare Prandelli's team a 2-0 win at Ta' Qali Stadium, although the Italian side showed moments of scruffy play.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon saved a penalty by Malta Captain Michael Mifsud after Balotelli's ninth minute opener - also by a penalty - and admitted to have been frustrated at how the game developed.

Leaving Ta' Qali, Buffon admitted that there were some "difficult playing conditions, as it was very windy and the pitch was extremely wet."

He hinted at moments of distraction from his side, "there still isn't total focus and concentration," he said, adding that the 'Azzurri' were certain to run into trouble, by allowing Malta to get close to equalising with the penalty and then Mifsud's brilliant shot from outside the box which "fortunately" hit the cross bar.

"I wasn't the only one who got angry, as we all did. These situations happen when there are games that aren't high profile.

"It is a characteristic (we have) had for years, as we always seem to leave it open for ourselves, our fans and our opponents.

"The penalty was an incident, but added to the other five or six chances it showed it was not a walk in the park.

"Those no longer exist in football, especially away from home," Buffon told reporters as he left Ta' Qali Stadium, on his way to the airport.

Meanwhile, Italy now lead qualifying Group B by three points from Bulgaria, having played a game less.