Gianluigi Buffon

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Italians miss out on Ballon d'Or

Nov 29, 2012

Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli have missed out on the final shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award.

The Italian trio were initially nominated for the prestigious award, given to the world's best player, but the triumvirate have been cut from the final three as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta make it through to the final round of voting.

Pirlo had been considered an outside bet for the award following his outstanding performances for Juventus in their unbeaten Scudetto win as well as his guiding Italy to the final of Euro 2012.

The announcement was made at a Press conference in Sao Paulo this afternoon, as the La Liga players were deemed the superior candidates in the original 23-man list.

Messi has won the Golden Ball for the past three seasons and is the clear favourite for this year's edition.

The winner will be announced on January 7 in Zurich, with the recipient being decided by each national team captain, Coach and leading journalist.

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Buffon makes Parma admission

Nov 29, 2012

Gigi Buffon says he would only consider leaving Juventus to re-join Parma – even if he’s on the verge of signing a new deal in Turin.

The goalkeeper is only tied to the Old Lady until June 2013, but he is soon expected to renew terms with the Bianconeri.

“I’ll sign my contract soon,” he stated to La Nazione. “It is not a question of money and everything will be made official in a little while.

“If I left Juve then I would happily go back to Parma, the side who launched me at the top level.”

The 34-year-old was brought up through the Parma youth system and he made his Serie A debut for the club as a 17-year-old in a 0-0 draw with Milan.

He joined Juve in the summer of 2001 for a goalkeeping world record fee of £32m.

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Buffon: 'Juve used as an alibi'

Dec 8, 2012

Gigi Buffon believes the Scudetto will be a battle royal, but hit back at those who “use Juventus as a shield and an alibi” for their own failure.

The goalkeeper spoke to RAI television programme Dribbling and snapped at those who accuse the Bianconeri of benefiting from refereeing errors.

“I don’t like this controversy and it brings out this total inconsistency in the treatment of errors for and against Juventus,” said Buffon.

“This season the only really big mistakes I saw in our favour were against Catania. At times there is an exaggerated pandemonium around these matters. Juventus are used as a shield and an alibi by those who never win.”

Antonio Conte has missed the last four months due to the betting scandal, but his ban has expired and he is back on the bench tomorrow afternoon against Palermo.

“He brings a strong impact on to a team and I’ve rarely seen that in any other Coach. He transmits his rage and sporting ferocity.

“This is a season where we’re going to be in a battle, even if we are the favourites because we have reinforced and started well. This doesn’t mean our victory is to be expected, as that would be a terrible thought to allow. That’s just inviting surprises...”

Buffon also commented on those who put too much pressure on footballers to be role models.

“We need sporting fair play, but I do not take the responsibility of being an educator. Parents can’t just expect me to educate their children.”

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Buffon hits back at Juventus critics

The Italian goalkeeper believes other clubs use the Bianconeri to deflect

from their own failings after claims of favouritism from match officials.

Dec 8, 2012

Gianluigi Buffon has hit back at suggestions that referees favour Juventus.

The 34-year-old believes other clubs use the excuse as a “shield and an alibi” for their own shortcomings and launched a fierce defence of his side.

“I don’t like this controversy and it brings out this total inconsistency in the treatment of errors for and against Juventus,” Buffon told RAI.

“This season the only really big mistakes I saw in our favour were against Catania.

“At times there is an exaggerated pandemonium around these matters. Juventus are used as a shield and an alibi by those who never win.”

The Juve captain also revealed his belief that the race for the Serie A title will be a tough one and says he expects a long tussle ahead.

“This is a season where we’re going to be in a battle, even if we are the favourites because we have reinforced and started well," he added.

“This doesn’t mean our victory is to be expected, as that would be a terrible thought to allow. That’s just inviting surprises.”

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Buffon: I do not want a long Juventus contract

The Bianconeri goalkeeper believes he has just a few years left at the top level,

and stressed how much energy is being drained from the players by their European clashes.

Dec 10, 2012

Gianluigi Buffon has revealed that he wants to renew his Juventus contract but does not want it to be a long extension.

The Italy international has been at the Turin-based club since 2001, when he joined from Parma, and he was key to their Serie A success last season.

Buffon believes that he has a few years left at the Juventus Stadium, at the very least, but wants to avoid becoming just an average shot-stopper by resting on his laurels.

"I’m convinced I can remain at a high level for another two or three years and I’d be better suited on a short contract, but I'll talk with them," the 34-year-old told Mediaset Premium.

"I’ve had a huge career and do not want to lie down on a long deal, I want to feel more on my toes, otherwise I’d become just a ‘normal’ goalkeeper."

Juve beat Palermo 1-0 on Sunday and Buffon has revealed that part of the reason behind their lack of a resounding victory could be the effort being put into their Champions League progress, having topped their group with a 1-0 away win against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night.

"The European commitment there is taking a lot of energy, especially mentally," the Italian admitted.

"It’s not easy to make a commitment during the week and then [on] the Sunday have the same stimulation to perform."

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Leali targets Buffon's place at Juventus within three years

The Italy Under-19 star is determined to succeed at the Serie A champions

in the long term, but has nothing but praise for the current Juve stopper.

Dec 11, 2012

Young goalkeeper Nicola Leali aims to take Gianluigi Buffon's place between the sticks at Juventus in three years' time.

The 19-year-old, who is seen as one of Europe's most promising shot stoppers, joined the Bianconeri from Brescia in the summer transfer window, but was immediately farmed out on loan to Lanciano for the 2012-13 campaign.

Leali is confident that he has what it takes to succeed at Juventus in the long term though, and is desperate to eventually replace Buffon.

"I would happily sign for it now to become Buffon's heir in three years' time," Leali was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.

"He is an idol for me. I still look back at my time with him and [Marco] Storari in the dressing room at the start of the season with pride. I was impressed by everything he did.

"It would already be a dream for me to return to Juventus to be Buffon's back-up."

Leali has a contract with Juventus until the summer of 2017.

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Another clean sheet for Buffon

Dec 17, 2012

The 3-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday saw Gigi Buffon’s unbeaten run at the Juventus Stadium continue.

The Italian international has now not conceded at home since the 3-1 reverse to Inter on November 3.

Since being beaten by Rodrigo Palacio in the 89th minute of that tie, Buffon has gone six matches in Turin without picking the ball out of the net.

Those matches are made up of three Serie A ties against Lazio, Torino and Atalanta, Champions League fixtures versus Nordsjaelland and Chelsea, plus the Coppa Italia Cagliari encounter.

If you also include away games, Juventus have conceded just once – a dubious Robinho penalty – in their last eight official matches.

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Buffon to sign for Christmas

Dec 19, 2012

Gigi Buffon will sign a new contract with Italian champions Juventus before Christmas, reports suggest.

The giornalaccio rosa dello Sport is claiming that the veteran, who is currently tied to the club until June 2013, will put pen to paper on a new two-year agreement.

Buffon’s agent Silvano Martina held talks with Turin officials at Vinovo on Monday where terms were ironed out.

The 34-year-old will accept a cut in salary to €4m a season, however he will be handed a €1m bonus if the Bianconeri win the Scudetto or the Champions League.

The Italian international, now club captain, joined Juventus in the summer of 2001 from Parma at a cost of £32m.

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Buffon: 'A wonderful 2012'

Dec 23, 2012

Gigi Buffon waves goodbye to “a wonderful 2012,” but cannot call who will be the main challengers to Juventus next year.

The Bianconeri won the Scudetto and Italian Super Cup, reached the Coppa Italia Final and the Champions League knockouts while setting a new all-time Serie A record of 94 points in the calendar year. Meanwhile, Buffon also reached the Euro 2012 Final with Italy.

“It has been a wonderful 2012 in so many respects,” the goalkeeper told Sky Sport Italia.

“I am working on many challenges, both sporting and in business, so I hope that with dedication, ideas and humility I can achieve my targets.”

Lazio have now moved into second place with Inter and Fiorentina joint third, followed by Napoli, Roma and Milan. So who is the ‘anti-Juventus’?

“There are so many options, I really don’t know who to choose.”

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Buffon believes Pirlo is 'same quality' as Messi

The Old Lady's captain says his team-mate is as good as the Barcelona star,

and adds that he wants to continue playing until he is 37 years old.

Dec 29, 2012

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says that team-mate Andrea Pirlo is as good as Lionel Messi, but says his team-mate does not get as much recognition because he does not score as much.

Messi has hit 91 goals during a record-breaking 2012, and while the Italy international praised the Barcelona legend, he believes Pirlo has similar abilities.

“He's a once in a generation player. I think it's unlikely that any human being again will repeat the numbers that Messi is getting,” Buffon told Sport Mediaset.

“But he is a striker, so numbers are on his side. I think Andrea Pirlo has the same sort of quality.

“He does not have to envy anyone, but in the world of football, awards go to those who score goals.”

The Juve captain also said his own recent success makes him believe he can play until he is at least 37-years-old, and admitted that last season's success had given him added confidence in his abilities.

"I'm 34 and I do not feel old but mature," he said.

"I know where I can go and I think I can play at least three more years at the highest level."

Buffon led Juventus to a domestic double last term, winning the Serie A title and Super Cup, before captaining the Italian national team to the European Championship final, eventually losing out 4-0 to Spain.

"2012 was a year full of sporting satisfaction, personal and otherwise," he added.

"It was a year that I will remember for a long time. We were able to do something memorable thanks to hard work and sweat as well as the good fortune of being led by a great coach.

"No one expected we were able to get to the final, we were not even remotely favorites."

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Buffon: 'What a splendid 2012'

Dec 29, 2012

Gigi Buffon looks back over 2012, ahead to “at least another three years at the top” and claims Andrea Pirlo is on the same level as Leo Messi.

“I am 34 and for a goalkeeper I don’t consider myself old. I am mature,” the Juventus star told Sport Mediaset.

“I know where I can push myself and I think I have at least another three years at the top level.

“This year has been very satisfying both on the field and off, so 2012 will be remembered for a long time. After two consecutive seventh-place finishes, we even surprised ourselves by doing something memorable.

“It was all down to hard work, sweat and the fortune of being led by a great Coach.

“As for Italy, nobody expected us to reach the Euro 2012 Final. It’s true, getting there isn’t the same as winning, but at the starting gate I dare anyone to say we were among the favourites to reach the Final.”

It was hoped that Pirlo would win the Ballon d’Or after a year in which he took Juve to the Scudetto and was instrumental in Italy’s revival.

“I think it’s impossible to say Messi isn’t the best player in the world, as it’ll be incredible if anyone is ever able to replicate his figures,” continued Buffon.

“However, a striker always gets the front page headlines. For example, Pirlo is on the same level with Messi and anyone else in terms of quality, but he is a midfielder and won’t be treated the same way.”

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Buffon reflects on ‘beautiful’ 2012

The goalkeeper was a key member of the Serie A-winning Juventus side and helped Italy

reach the Euro 2012 final, but he is hopeful he can achieve even more in 2013.

Dec 31, 2012

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is elated with how his year went, and is aiming for even more success in 2013.

The goalkeeper was a crucial member of the Serie A-winning Juve team under Antonio Conte and helped Italy reach the final of Euro 2012, though Spain beat them comfortably.

The 34-year-old wrote on his official Facebook page: "2012 gave me a lot of joy.

"Juventus bounced back to win the Scudetto, I had a beautiful European adventure with the national team, I lifted my first trophy as captain and then [Juve had] a really superb beginning to this season.

"This group aims higher in every competition. In 2013 I hope to convey all my determination and confidence so that the team keep being able to fight on every front."

The Bianconeri currently sit top of Serie A on 44 points after 18 matches, seven points clear of second-placed Lazio.

In Europe, Conte's team have been drawn against Celtic in the last 16 after knocking Champions League title holders Chelsea out at the group stage.

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Buffon hails Celtic's Forster

Dec 31, 2012

Juventus face Celtic in the Champions League and Gigi Buffon is very impressed with goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

“Of course I know about Fraser,” he told the Daily Record newspaper in Scotland.

“I watch all the top young goalkeepers in the world and I’m sure he can become one of them. The top three young goalkeepers in the world for me are Joe Hart, Manuel Neuer and Salvatore Sirigu. It will be one of those three who will go on to be the best in the world.

“But if Forster keeps on playing like he is there is no reason he can’t be close to or even in that group.

“In a goalkeeper I don’t just look for the great saves but for the authority and confidence he shows. As a goalkeeper you can make only one or two mistakes a season if you want to be the best.

“It’s in the big games where you see character because that is where you are most likely to make mistakes. I have seen both games he played against Barcelona now and not only did he make great saves, he looked confident. He didn’t look like a goalkeeper who was going to make a mistake.”

Juventus visit Glasgow on February 12 and play the second leg in Turin on March 6.

“Fraser is about to play in two big games in the last 16 of the Champions League and it is clear to me he has not only the talent but the character for games like this,” continued Buffon.

“He has another two big games to show Europe what he can do and from what I have seen in him I am sure he will show Europe again.”

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Buffon close to contract renewal with Juventus

Both club and player continue to dispute the length of the deal,

but an agreement is expected to be reached between both parties in the near future.

Jan 3, 2013

EXCLUSIVE

By Romeo Agresti

Gianluigi Buffon is close to agreeing a new contract with Juventus, Goal.com understands.

The 34-year-old has been in discussions with the Old Lady for some weeks over an extension to his current deal, with the player admitting his desire to end his career with the Scudetto champions.

However, negotiations began to falter over the length of the renewal, with the Italy international keen to sign a short-term contract in order to avoid resting on his laurels and risk becoming "a normal goalkeeper".

The club, meanwhile, are keen to tie him down for a more lengthy period, with Giuseppe Marotta having proposed a renewal until at least 2015, with a basic salary of €3.5 million per season plus bonuses.

Despite the disagreements, Goal.com understands that both parties are keen to extend the deal, which is set to expire at the end of the season, and a breakthrough in negotiations could happen as early as January.

AS Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri was reportedly interested in signing the veteran keeper, but Buffon has made it clear he intends to see out his career with the club he joined back in 2001, and is therefore expected to put pen-to-paper on a new deal soon.

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Buffon accepts Juventus blame

Jan 7, 2013

Gigi Buffon has admitted that he was at fault for Sampdoria’s equaliser in Juventus’ shock 2-1 home loss on Sunday.

Although 1-0 up against a side who had been reduced to 10 men, the Italian champions eventually suffered defeat after Mauro Icardi’s second-half double.

“I was still moving my feet back when Icardi got his shot away, leaving me off balance,” the 34-year-old commented.

“I don’t usually commit such errors, but this time I was too far forward. I’m sorry because my error compromised three points which seemed almost certain.

“The second goal was different because I would have had to pull off a truly special save to keep it out. Having said that, I wouldn’t have been surprised if I’d had managed to do so.”

Juventus’ unexpected reverse now means that they are only five points ahead of second-placed outfit Lazio.

“Immediately after the first goal I looked up at the clock and saw there was plenty of time remaining, so I thought we’d perhaps be able to win it regardless,” the Italian international added.

“In the dressing room at the break we vowed to put the game to bed by taking to the field with the right attitude, because we couldn’t let the match go by and run the risk of not winning.

“Instead we lost our focus, committed some mistakes and allowed them to counter attack us.”

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Buffon best world keeper of 25 years

Jan 17, 2013

Gigi Buffon has emerged as the world’s best goalkeeper in the last 25 years, announced the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

The Juventus and Italy shot-stopper came out on top in a calculation of votes from 1987 to 2012 by ‘selected editorial staff and experts from all the football continents.’

Buffon was top, followed by Spain and Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas in second and Edwin Van Der Sar in third.

Peter Schmeichel and Oliver Kahn completed the top five positions.

Fellow Italian Walter Zenga was the next-highest placed Azzurro in joint eighth place with Andoni Zubizarreta.

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Buffon set to extend deal until 2015

Jan 22, 2013

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon could be set to extend his contract at the club until 2015, according to reports in Italy.

Both giornalaccio rosa dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia claim that a Press conference has been set up for Wednesday afternoon, which will be attended by the shot-stopper himself and President Andrea Agnelli.

The 34-year-old has been at the Bianconeri since 2001 and has racked up over 400 appearances for the club.

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Buffon wanted 12-month deal

Jan 23, 2013

The agent of Gigi Buffon insists the only doubts about his new contract at Juventus were over its length.

The Old Lady will confirm later today that the goalkeeper has put pen to paper on a fresh deal until June 2015.

“There were never any problems regarding the extension,” Silvano Martina told TMW on Wednesday morning.

“The fact that an agreement was reached with Juventus has been known for some time.

“All that we needed to agree on was a formula – the club wanted to give him a three-year deal and he wanted a one-year one. In the end a two-year renewal was agreed.”

Buffon, whose previous agreement was to expire in the summer, is understood to have accepted a €1.5m cut to his current €6m a year deal.

“Gigi understood the needs of the country and accepted to take a small adjustment to his salary,” Martina added.

Buffon, who joined Juventus in 2001, will celebrate his 35th birthday later this month.

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Only Juventus for Buffon

Jan 23, 2013

Gigi Buffon says that he never thought about leaving Juventus after opting to sign a new contract with the Italian champions.

The 34-year-old could have left the club on a Bosman in the summer, but he’s put pen to paper on a new agreement until 2015.

“I never considered any other club,” the custodian noted at a Press conference [watch it here] this afternoon. “I’ve been here for many years and the Juventus shirt is a lifestyle. It’s hard to imagine me in another one.”

Buffon has agreed to accept a cut in salary – thought to be around €2m a season – while he confirmed that he even offered to sign a shorter deal than he did.

“I proposed 12 months,” he declared. “As a player with my career behind him, the present and the future that is ahead, it is right that you play only for as long as you can at your levels.

“I thought that was right, but Juventus are not a club who improvise. They plan.”

Although the Italian international has only signed on for another two years, he admits that he has his eyes on appearing at Euro 2016.

“There is a World Cup in a year and a half and then a European Championship three and a half years later. I want to reach that stage in the shape I am today. We’ll see what happens in 2015.”

Buffon joined the Old Lady in 2001 from Parma at a cost of £33m. He’s now captain of his club and his country.

“As soon as I arrived at this club I asked myself whether I was good enough. I never thought that I would be the captain of a prestigious team like Juventus.

“Alex Del Piero left me the armband and this was very significant in my consecration as a man of the changing room.”

After a season in Serie B with Juve post-Calciopoli, Buffon was asked about the opportunity to join Barcelona in 2001.

“I do ask myself that question now and again, but Barcelona started winning in 2006. Five years without winning anything is a long time. Seeing how my career has developed, I have no regrets.”

Buffon was also quizzed about his possible heir and he believes that Italian football will be in safe hands when he does eventually quit.

“There is a good generation of goalkeepers coming through. I’ve had the fortune of training with Nicola Leali, he has the potential to write goalkeeping history.

“Then, in Serie A, there is Mattia Perin of Pescara who is doing some really exceptional things. The goalkeeping movement has been regenerated.”

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Agnelli: 'Ballon d'Or for Buffon'

Jan 23, 2013

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli urged a Ballon d’Or recognition for captain Gianluigi Buffon after he renewed his contract to June 2015.

The patron held a joint Press conference with Buffon today in order to announce the news. Click here for video of the full event.

“It seems that in recent months you have been more worried about this day arriving than we were,” smiled Agnelli to the gathered journalists.

“Gigi Buffon is our captain, the captain of Juventus and the captain of the Nazionale. His contract has been extended until June 2015, which will bring him to his 14th season with the Bianconeri.

“I don’t think I need to add anything to the history he has written for Juventus, as he is already in the pantheon of the greats to have worn this jersey.

“He showed desire, strong desire, to continue this journey. We are perfectly aware of that, because a few months ago all it took was a glance for me to prolong this contract.”

Buffon revealed he wanted a one-year extension rather than two, so that he could keep on his toes.

“He knows that it is up to him and based on his motivation, as he has always very honestly stated. He has motivation today and that is why he signed for another two years. If the future reserves another page for him, then it’s Gigi’s motivation that will tell us... He knows that Juventus is his home and the doors will always be open.

“Buffon has won five Scudetti on the pitch and lifted the World Cup, but what really speaks for him are not the statistics. It’s his personality, his honesty, his leadership both on and off the field, his fairness and transparency.

“When he has an opinion, he won’t hesitate to tell you it. This means when there is a discussion with Gigi, it will always be constructive.”

President Agnelli also made an appeal to the Ballon d’Or selection committee.

“I thought back and the only individual prize Gigi has never received is the Ballon d’Or. We looked into the history of this trophy and only once has a goalkeeper had the honour of lifting it, that Lev Yashin who was a childhood hero for me and Gigi.

“My hope is that in these two years Gigi can interrupt that negative statistic to bring the Ballon d’Or back to Italy and back to a goalkeeper, because that would be the just recognition for what Gigi represents in the world of football.”

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Buffon signs new Juventus deal

The Italy goalkeeper has extended his contract with the Serie A champions

by a further two years, keeping him at Juventus Stadium until 2015.

Jan 23, 2013

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has put pen to paper on a contract extension at Juventus Stadium.

The 34-year-old has added a further two years to his current deal, meaning he will remain a Bianconeri player until 2015, with Buffon hoping to maintain his current level of performance over that period of time.

“I hope to play for as long as I'm able to do so and I'm ready to give my all,” he said.

“We had originally talked about a one-year renewal but Juve made the counter-offer of a two-year deal. When I arrived at Juve my only concern was whether or not I could cut it at this level.”

Juve president Andrea Agnelli added his belief that Buffon has now become one of the best players to have ever represented the club.

“He's already among the best and greatest names in the history of Juventus,” Agnelli praised.

“I like remembering the five titles he won on the pitch, and the World Cup, but what sets him apart is his honesty and his leadership.”

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Buffon deserves Ballon d'Or, says Agnelli

The Juventus president realises that it has been a long time since a goalkeeper

won the award, but feels the Italy star deserves recognition for his fine career.

Jan 24, 2013

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli feels that Gianluigi Buffon deserves to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or before he retires as a reward for everything he has done for football.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has won the previous four editions of the prestigious individual award, but club supremo hopes that the Italy international can bring the prize back to Serie A in the upcoming years.

"History states that from 1978 until 2007, the Ballon d’Or was regularly won by players competing in Serie A," he said at a press conference.

"After this 30-year period, the trophy has subsequently been away from Italy for five years. My hope is that Gigi manages to halt the negative run by bringing it back in the next two years.

"Given that just one goalkeeper, [Lev] Yashin, has had the honour of lifting it, I think it would be a correct acknowledgment of what Gigi means to Juventus and the world of football as a whole."

The 34-year-old Buffon inked a new deal with Juventus until June 2015 on Wednesday.

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Buffon has 'no regrets' over Barcelona snub

The Bianconeri skipper insists turning down the opportunity to join the Catalan giants

in 2001 was the right one, despite the unrivaled success of the Blaugrana in recent years.

Jan 24, 2013

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has revealed he does not regret rejecting a move to Barcelona as he is pleased with the way his career has turned out.

The Italy shot-stopper had the chance to join Barca in 2001, whilst at Parma, but opted to switch to Juventus for €39 million, a record fee for a goalkeeper.

And despite the success that the Catalans have enjoyed recently, Buffon insists he made the right decision.

"I do ask myself what my career would have been like now and again," the 34-year-old told reporters. "But Barcelona only started winning in 2006. Five years without winning anything is a long time.

"Seeing how my career has developed, I have no regrets."

Buffon signed an extension to his contract on Wednesday, which will see the goalkeeper stay with the Turin outfit until June 2015.

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Buffon welcomes rivals' challenge as title race in Italy hots up

The Juventus No.1 believes the added competition from the likes of Napoli, who trail

the league leaders by three points, could be key to driving them to Serie A success this year.

Feb 4, 2013

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon insists the emergence of Napoli and Lazio as title contenders can motivate his team to a successful defence of their Serie A crown.

The 35-year-old has seen the Bianconeri's lead cut to three points following a difficult start to the year, but Buffon is welcoming the added competition and hopes it will prove beneficial in the title race.

Speaking to the club's official website, Buffon said: “Rivals can only be a good thing for us. With certain players, the more they’re put under pressure, the better they perform.

"Now it can’t be taken for granted that Juve will win the Scudetto. At the end of December it seemed as if we’d already won the championship because there weren’t any rivals.

"Now they’ve revealed themselves. Knowing that you can’t put a foot wrong brings added motivation.”

Meanwhile, the Italy international also paid tribute to Napoli and their coach Walter Mazzarri.

He added: “Napoli are a complete team. They have played together for many years and possess an excellent coach along with important individuals. They’ve got everything in place to fight for the Scudetto.

“But we won’t stand back and watch. We need to play in a convincing manner as we did up until a month ago. At which point the others can do whatever they like…"

Napoli face Lazio in a top-of-the-table clash on February 9, while Juventus host Vincenzo Montella's Fiorentina.

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Buffon: Italy are a work in progress

The veteran goalkeeper has admitted that the Azzurri struggled against Netherlands

on Wednesday, but has insisted that their youngsters need time to improve.

Feb 7, 2013

Gianluigi Buffon has stressed Italy are still improving as a team and that people cannot expect too much from the Euro 2012 finalists just yet.

The Azzurri had a difficult evening against Netherlands at the Amsterdam ArenA on Wednesday, and had Marco Verratti to thank for leaving the Dutch capital with a 1-1 draw following the midfielder's stoppage-time equaliser.

"It's true that we need a bit more character. We have a lot of young players, though, and are going through a growth process," Buffon told reporters.

"We will have plenty more tests from here until the Confederations Cup and the World Cup. The younger players have time to improve, and to get in great shape in time for Brazil.

"It always depends a bit on your opponent how you can play. Netherlands were never going to be an easy opponent. They made things difficult for us and it looked as if we were not giving our all.

"The truth is that we were looking to hit them on the counter-attack, though."

Italy's next game is the 2014 World Cup qualifier away against Malta on March 26.