Gianluigi Buffon

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon thanks whole Juve team

http://www.football-italia.net/81608/buffon-thanks-whole-juve-team?

Mar 20, 2016

Gianluigi Buffon published a message thanking every Juventus player one by one for helping him set a new record.

The goalkeeper confirmed his place in Italy's footballing hall of fame by setting a new record for the longest unbeaten run in Serie A.

On from his comments after today's match against Torino, he published a message on Facebook dedicated to all of his teammates.

“No record comes down to a single man and you can't be number one outside of the group,” his status reads. “So I'd like to thank...
 

 

“Neto, for the serenity he gives our whole team every time he takes to the pitch.

“Rubinho, silent and patient leader.

“Chiello, because he never gives up till the end.

“Caceres, for showing enthusiasm even in the hardest moments.

“Alex Sandro, because seeing him dribble a defender is always a pleasure.

“Barzagli: he must be cloned immediately.

“Bonucci, for his charisma, holding his head high and always working in the team's service.

“Rugani, because being able to listen is a rare quality.

“Stephan, who represents the legs and lungs of this Juve.

“Evra. If we didn't have him, we ought to buy him.

“Khedira, always the right man in the right place.

“Marchisio the only player I know whose colour is black/white.

“Pogba, because he doesn't live football, he invents it.

“Hernanes, because every team needs its prophet.

“Lemina, who is simply a Juve type of man.

“Padoin, who does excellently wherever he's placed.

“Asamoah, whose love of football is stronger than any injury.

“Sturaro, he fights, falls, gets back up and always wins.

“Pereyra, because creativity is the salt of this sport.

“Zaza, who was born to score from any position.

“Morata, we always need him.

“Cuadrado, because every time he starts running, it's like he were saying 'catch me if you can!'

“Mandzukic, the first to attack, and the first to defend.

“Dybala: if the shirt number 21 was given to him after being worn by Thuram, Zidane and Pirlo, then there's got to be a reason.

“And finally our Coach, a winner in the temple of winners!”

[Socrates 8386]

Gianluigi Buffon record cements his legacy
as greatest keeper of all-time

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2834534/gianluigi-buffon-record-cements-his-legacy-greatest-keeper

Mar 21, 2016

A little longer than one round of a boxing is how long Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had to hold out in order to break Serie A's clean sheet record on Sunday against Torino. Three minutes and one second. But no bell was rung. Instead referee Nicola Rizzoli blew his whistle and Il Toro charged out of their corner with every intention of pummelling his goal.

On the eve of the game, Torino striker Ciro Immobile was asked about the music he planned to listen to in order to psyche himself up. Did it include Negramaro's song "Solo tre minuti?" (Only three minutes.) "Great song," he said. "But three minutes is not a long time to score against Juventus and deny Buffon the record. We'll give it a go."

The last time Torino were so precocious in the Derby della Mole was on Oct. 22, 1967. Argentine Nestor Combin scored a hat trick in an emotional 4-0 win for the Toro which came just a week after Gigi Meroni, the eccentric genius of Italian football, had been run down and killed in a road traffic accident by a future president of the club. Rather appropriately the first goal of Combin's tripletta came in the third minute.

The order of the day was instead to channel their inner Valentino Mazzola, the captain of the Grande Torino who netted a goal after one minute in 1944 -- the fastest in the history of this rivalry. (Incidentally, Valentino's son, Sandro, holds the same record in the Madonnina derby between Milan and Inter.)

But it wasn't to be. Instead, as the game clock struck 3:01 at the Stadio Olimpico, Buffon raised both thumbs to the sky in understated celebration. The Juventus fans unfurled a banner in the away end which read: "La Leggenda" (The Legend) and broadcaster Mediaset switched across to their studio guest, former Milan goalkeeper Sebastiano Rossi -- the holder of the previous record of 929 minutes.

Initially, his face was a picture of glum resignation as the realisation sank in that, after 22 years, the record no longer belonged to him. However, after the game he was magnanimous. "Moments like these are great and they should be enjoyed," he said. "I am happy that my record has gone to him and that it has stayed in Italian hands. All records are there to be broken. [Dino] Zoff said that to me when I broke his [in 1994]."

Curiously, Rossi had conceded less than half an hour after going past Zoff's landmark. His run had begun after an Ivan Kolyvanov goal and it ended after one too in a 2-1 win against Foggia at San Siro.

Buffon also happened to concede in the same game in which he broke the record as Juventus' 4-1 win against Torino was spoiled by an Andrea Belotti penalty. Buffon had managed to add another 44 minutes -- a total of 16 hours and 13 minutes, or 974 minutes -- to the record. He remains unbeaten in open play in the league since the first game of the New Year in Serie A.

Yet Buffon revealed he was nervous as the record got closer.

"For a while now I just wanted to give myself a bit of an electric shock in order to deal with the tension," he admitted afterwards. "I couldn't wait either to break the record or concede a goal. Rossi's record didn't seem within reach. You guys were talking about it after the fourth game [of a record 10 without allowing a goal]. It was only after Bergamo [and the 2-0 win against Atalanta on March 6] that I said to myself I could do it. It took a lot of mental strength. I managed it well and I'm enjoying it. At my age, things like this are particularly gratifying. A younger me perhaps wouldn't have savoured it."

It is, perhaps, something of a surprise that Buffon hadn't gone the distance earlier, particularly when playing behind Fabio Cannavaro and Lillian Thuram at Parma, then later Juventus. The closest he had come until Sunday was the season before last when the team put together seven straight clean sheets only to end -- hence the nerves a fortnight ago -- against Atalanta on 12 hours and 15 minutes.

The thing with a record like this is that it's not exclusively down to the goalkeeper; you need a bit of luck too. How else do you explain the presence of Roma's Ivan Pelizzoli in the top 10? Or Davide Pinato or Mario da Pozzo? All it takes is a cross to accidentally fall in at the far post, a shot to get deflected, or a penalty conceded (as occurred on Sunday) and the clock is reset.

"The record belongs to Juventus, not me," Buffon said afterwards with typical humility. "In all honesty, I don't think about individual records, as I always see myself as a team man. It's a reward because the more you think about the team, the more likely you are to get rewarded as an individual."

As a sign of his gratitude, he later posted a message of thanks on his Facebook page with a special dedication to each and every one of his teammates, even including third choice keeper Rubinho and utility man/cult hero Simone Padoin.

Remarkably, there are people out there who look on his record disparagingly. Serie A isn't competitive; it doesn't compare to Rossi's record as the standard of Serie A was higher then and the strikers were better -- they say.

But it's also true games were less open and Rossi got protection like no other. He played behind Mauro Tassotti, Alessandro Costacurta, Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi, one of the greatest defences of all-time. "That Milan team had four all-time greats and a good goalkeeper," Zvonimir Boban, a member of that team, told Sky Italia. "Buffon is the only all-time great at Juventus."

Teams may be more expansive these days; the number of goals per game may be up and matches have a freedom to them that they didn't in the past, but that only adds to Buffon's achievement. He is, quite simply, the greatest goalkeeper of all-time.

To maintain his level of performance, keep his standards of professionalism and retain the same insatiable hunger for success he had as a teenager when his great contemporary Iker Casillas, four years his junior, has declined so rapidly is incredible. Casillas and new arrivals like Germany's Manuel Neuer may have trophies in their collections that Buffon doesn't -- the European Championship and Champions League for example -- but Buffon has won everything else and been to the finals of those competitions.

His longevity is astonishing: he has 154 caps for Italy and his appearances in five separate World Cups is a feat matched only by Mexico's Antonio Carbajal and German legend Lothar Matthaus. When you frame it in these terms, Sunday's Serie A record couldn't really be any more appropriate because it's just another indicator of his endurance. Buffon's Superman t-shirt may have gone but his super powers remain. Even at 38-year-old, he is the undisputed No. 1.

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: ‘Dear goal…’

http://www.football-italia.net/81656/buffon-%E2%80%98dear-goal%E2%80%A6%E2%80%99?

Mar 21, 2016

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has written an open letter - to the goal he defends.

The legendary ‘keeper broke the Serie A record for longest streak without conceding this weekend, managing 974 minutes before finally being beaten by a Torino penalty.

Having spent 20 seasons guarding the goal of Juventus, Parma and the Italian national team, the 38-year-old reflected on his relationship with the net.

“I was 12-years-old when I turned my back on you,” Buffon wrote on his official Facebook page, having started his career as a midfielder.

“I denied my past to guarantee you a secure future. A choice of the heart, a choice of instinct. From the day I stopped looking at your face though, I began to love you. To protect you. To be your first and last line of defence.

“I promised myself I’d do everything not to see your face, or as much as I could. Every time I did was painful, having to turn round and realise I’d let you down.

“We’re always opposite and complementary, like the moon and the sun, forced to live together while never being able to touch. Teammates for life who are denied contact.

“Over 25 years ago I cast my vote, I swore to protect and guard you, to shield you against your enemies.

“I always thought about your wellbeing, over and above my own. Every time I turned to look at you I tried to bear your disappointed expression head-on, while always consciously feeling guilty.

“I was 12 when I turned my back on the goal, and I’ll continue to do so as long as my legs, my head and my heart hold out.”

[Socrates 8386]

Pepe: Juventus Goalkeeper Deserves To Win The Ballon D’Or

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/03/pepe-juventus-goalkeeper-deserves-to-win-the-ballon-dor/?

Mar 22, 2016

Following Gianluigi Buffon’s record breaking run of 973 minutes without conceding a Serie A goal for Juventus, former Bianconeri midfielder Simone Pepe believes the Italy No.1 deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.

Andrea Belotti’s penalty in the recent Derby della Mole ended the 38-year-old’s remarkable run, as he took the record of most consecutive minutes without concession from AC Milan legend Sebastiano Rossi.

“He is not a silent leader,” Chievo midfielder Pepe said of Buffon while speaking to Tiki Taka. “You feel his influence in the dressing room, but he is always keen to joke and have a laugh, too.

“For what he has done not only this season but throughout his career, he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. Ideally, we could have one for Gigi and one for Messi.”

[Socrates 8386]

Juventus Goalkeeper Looking
to Break Serie A Record Again

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/03/juventus-goalkeeper-looking-to-break-serie-a-record-again/?

Mar 23, 2016

Days after breaking the Serie A record for minutes without conceding a goal, Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is already thinking about improving his tally.

Buffon managed to keep Torino at bay on the weekend for the 180 seconds required to surpass Sebastiano Rossi’s previous record of 923 unbeaten minutes, and after being quizzed on the feat he says he can do even better.

“I am very happy for this record, as I said after the match I share this record with a wonderful team,” the 38-year-old told reporters ahead of Italy’s friendly against Spain.

“It’s a record that reflects on me, but also on Juventus,” he continued.

“I’m happy to have improved as a player too, and I can do even better. I will get straight to work on doing this.”

The shot stopper was also asked about his views on the recent incidents in Brussels, with three explosions rocking the Belgian capital on Tuesday morning.

“I hope that these attacks do not become normal occurrences,” he said.

“I hope that we can maintain the composure to condemn these incidents.”

[Socrates 8386]

Cudicini hails “unbelievable” Buffon
after breaking Rossi's record

The former Tottenham and Chelsea goalie was around to witness the previous record
and has heaped praise on the Bianconeri keeper for achieving such a huge feat.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2565/exclusive/2016/03/25/21689402/-?

Mar 25, 2016

Former goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini has paid tribute to countryman Gianluigi Buffon after the Juventus icon broke Sebastiano Rossi's record for most minutes played in Serie A without conceding a goal.

Cudicini, who watched as Buffon racked up 974 minutes unbeaten, was team-mates with the former record holder at Milan and hailed the Juve captain's feat as nothing short of unbelievable.

“I was very lucky to witness Rossi’s record when I was at AC Milan and that just shows you how old I am!” the former Chelsea keeper joked to Goal.

“So I know how difficult it is to get a record like that, it is actually an unbelievable effort. Not conceding for 9 or 10 games.”

After breaking the record, Buffon thanked every one of his team-mates on Facebook - an act that Cudicini feels was a classy move.

“I was pleased to read that the first thing Buffon did was thank everybody in the team,” he said.

“Because when you don’t concede and get such a great record it is all about the goalkeeper - but it has been a fantastic run of clean sheets for Juventus.

“Everyone has to be very proud.”

As Buffon prepares to lead the Italy national team out against Germany after a 1-1 draw with Spain, Cudicini gave his countryman a personal tribute.

“Gigi is a fantastic goalkeeper and has been at that level for 20 years,” he added.

“He’s still there at 38 and is still in the top five goalkeepers in the world. He has everything that makes a great footballer one of the best.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: 'New cycle with Insigne'

http://www.football-italia.net/81950/buffon-new-cycle-insigne?

Mar 28, 2016

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon discusses the end of his career and praises Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne: 'He can take the Azzurri to the next level.'

The Italy captain saw his team produce an excellent game against Spain last Thursday as they drew 1-1 with the holding European champions.

The game was somewhat overshadowed by polemics over Coach Antonio Conte's departure and speculation over his possible successor.

“There are many candidates, but I don't have anyone in mind,” the 'keeper told Rai Sport. “What I do hope is that we continue on the path started by Conte. It's a pleasure seeing how he trains us, and we're eager to learn.

“Someone like Conte struggles to stay away from the pitch. These two years have been an exception for him. But he blazed a path with the national team, and Italy need to go in the direction of modern football.

“Our team struggles to play with the talents of four or five years ago, so we have to work, work, work. The results of that are self-evident: on the pitch we're compact and coordinated.”

His Juventus teammates Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Zaza could move away in the summer.

“I'm not afraid to lose them. They're smart kids and they know that at Juventus there's an important project, and a dream: that of reaching another Champions League final within two years.

“As for me, I'm coming to the end of my career, but it's a happy end. I'm living my golden age. I can look with satisfaction at everything I've done and share it with those who are around me.”

Buffon recently wrote an unusual 'letter to the goal', in which he described his relationship with the area he defends.

“It's like the relationship between Valentino Rossi and his motorcycle. You've seen the way he caresses it? There's a visceral relationship between myself and the goal. Every goal I concede is a slap to the goal and to myself.”

Buffon then discussed Lorenzo Insigne and the other new Azzurri youngsters.

“With his qualities, and considering the championship he is having and the high expectations of his fans, Insigne is a guy who can take us to the next level. He can make the difference.

“After the 2010 World Cup I let off some steam against youngsters, but now I see that a new cycle has begun. I see young players that are willing to learn.

“And I see enormous technical ability among them, which we'd been a bit short of in the last few years. It makes me feel hopeful. It's a seed that will eventually give fruit.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: ‘Juve for life’

http://www.football-italia.net/82111/buffon-%E2%80%98juve-life%E2%80%99?

Mar 31, 2016

Gianluigi Buffon says ‘I’m staying at Juventus for life’ and reiterates that ‘I want to play at this level until I’m 40’.

The 38-year-old is still the Bianconeri’s first choice goalkeeper and is set to represent Italy once more at Euro 2016 this summer.

“Even if I don’t have the same passion, which normally decreases a little, I still enjoy the challenge,” Buffon explained to So Foot.

“Even if I were to be offered twice my salary elsewhere, I’m staying at Juve for life. To be part of it makes me proud because they have a value. And certain values seem outdated nowadays.

“I want to play at this level until I’m 40 and then that’s enough. But with the ambition to reach the top.”

The Azzurri legend also reflected on a period when he suffered from depression and how he overcame his problems.

“Depression can happen to anyone,” he said.

“For me, it was almost in a trivial way. At 26 I realised that the age of being carefree was over and this transition to adulthood caused what I experienced.

“But I didn’t take medicine because I don’t want to be dependent on anything or anyone. I tried to find the way out on my own, speaking with some friends.

“At Euro 2004 I was very distressed and it was because of talent and luck that I had a good match. It finished 0-0, but I was happy because I had resolved my problem.

“In my day we played in groups and convivially. Now the youngsters are on their computers and iPads and in a footballing sense imagination, inspiration and talent have been anesthetised.”

[Socrates 8386]

Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon
plans to retire in two years

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/story/2840752/gianluigi-buffon-plans-to-retire-in-two-years

Mar 31, 2016

Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has announced he will retire in two years, once the Italy and Juventus great turns 40 years old.

Buffon, 38, recently broke Sebastiano Rossi's Serie A record of 929 minutes without conceding a goal. And the Juve captain has his side poised to collect their fifth straight league title this season.

The Italy international, who has won a World Cup and six Scudettos in his illustrious career, hasn't shown many signs of slowing down. However Buffon, while revealing interest in a post-playing career in football, has set the date for his retirement.

"After this year, I will play for two more seasons before quitting. I do not want to play after 40 years, but I want to get to 40 years," Buffon told So Foot Magazine.

"Even if I were to be offered twice the salary elsewhere, I would stay at Juve for life. Being part of it makes me proud, because it has a value. And now certain values seem out of fashion.

"I have a wealth of experience, but I do not want to coach. I rather like the role of recruiter. They are ambitious. I would go to nations like the United States or China, which have great potential for a large population."

Buffon added: "If I do something, I do it with the idea to get to the top -- without that I would stop living."

[Socrates 8386]

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reiterates
his plan to retire in two years

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/story/2840752/gianluigi-buffon-plans-to-retire-in-two-years

Apr 1, 2016

Toward the end of January, we heard word from Gianluigi Buffon himself that the 2018 World Cup in Russia would be the end of the road for the legendary goalkeeper. It would be the final act in one of the best careers the game of football has ever seen, one filled with titles, amazing saves, plenty of frustrated strikers and just about everything in between.

Two months later, Buffon isn't wavering on what he said.

In an interview with So Foot Magazine, Buffon has confirmed that retirement in two years is the plan and that it's not going to be any different. Come the end of the gathering in Russia, where he would become the first-ever player to take part in his sixth World Cup, the Greatest of All Time is going to hang up his Puma gloves and boots and call it a career.

"After this year, I will play for two more seasons before quitting. I do not want to play after 40 years, but I want to get to 40 years.

"Even if I were to be offered twice the salary elsewhere, I would stay at Juve for life. Being part of it makes me proud, because it has a value. And now certain values seem out of fashion.

"I have a wealth of experience, but I do not want to coach. I rather like the role of recruiter. They are ambitious. I would go to nations like the United States or China, which have great potential for a large population."

(Source: ESPNFC)

(Hey, if Gigi wants to kick it while he's in the United States while on a recruiting trip...)

Buffon has always said that he will play as long as he can stay at the highest competitive level in terms of his personal performances. Clearly, with Buffon setting a new Serie A record for consecutive minutes without allowing a goal earlier this month, those performances are still capable of winning Juventus a whole lot of points.

Seeing Buffon step aside was bound to happen sooner rather than later. That's just what happens when you are still playing while in your late 30s. Father Time only allows you to play for that much longer — and obviously there's nobody who knows Buffon's durability and ability to play at this incredibly high level than the man himself. Whatever he wants to do, he can do. He's certainly earned that right with how his career has gone and how loyal he has been to Juventus over these last 14 years.

Now go out and get this man as many trophies as humanly possible before he retires. That would be a pretty good way to send him out, that's for sure. Plus, as the captain for both club and country, he'd be the first one to lift them, so there's also that, which is nice.

[Socrates 8386]

How Many More Years Will Gianluigi Buffon Spend at Juventus?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2630112-how-many-more-years-will-gianluigi-buffon-spend-at-juventus?

Apr 6, 2016

When Gigi Buffon arrived at Juventus in the summer of 2001, he already possessed an impressive resume. Indeed, by the age of 23 he had become a first-choice goalkeeper for Italy’s national team, played 220 games for Parma—winning both the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup along the way—and been named the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year.

His transfer to the Bianconeri remains a record fee for that position, but his standing has only improved over the last 15 years. Now Italy's most capped player of all time, Buffon has become the captain of both his club and his country, going on to lift no fewer than 12 trophies with Juve and of course the 2006 World Cup with the Azzurri.

Now 38, the pertinent question surrounding him is just how long can this continue?

“Hopefully I'll never be a burden” he told Sky Sports back in 2010, but perhaps the most impressive thing about Buffon is that even now he has never remotely resembled such a thing. Indeed, this season has seen the Carrara native produce arguably one of his best campaigns ever with Juventus on the verge of writing yet more history.

The club have won five consecutive league titles just once before (1931-1935), but thanks to the performances of their goalkeeper, that achievement could be repeated this May. Saturday’s 1-0 win over Empoli not only helped the Bianconeri open up a six-point gap over closest rivals Napoli, it also saw Buffon record his 18th clean sheet of the campaign.

OptaPaolo ✔ ‎@OptaPaolo
10 - Juventus have conceded no goal in their last 10 league’s games, a record in the Serie A history. Wall.

That tally includes a league-record 10 in a row, a spell which also saw him surpass the Serie A record for minutes without conceding a goal, an incredible mark—previously held by AC Milan’s Sebastiano Rossi—which had stood since 1994.

However, even after making key stops it came as no surprise that he would praise his team-mates after setting the new standard, using a post-match interview with Mediaset Premium last month to share the attention.

“The lion’s share of the credit should go to the guys in front of me right from our forwards who run the hard yards all the way back to our rear guard which features some of the world’s best defenders,” Buffon said (h/t Juventus.com).

Yet while WhoScored.com shows the Bianconeri have allowed opponents just 8.4 shots per game—another league-best mark—the skipper remains a vital figure in the side, transmitting a sense of calm authority to those ahead of him.

It is a testament to Buffon’s concentration and dedication that he has achieved such a feat, with statistics provided by Fox Sports highlighting the fact that he faces long periods without making a save as no fewer than 15 players have recorded more than his tally of 57 stops.

In a recent interview with So Foot (h/t Football Italia), Buffon stated a desire “to play at this level until I’m 40 and then that’s enough.” That would allow him to play at the 2018 World Cup, but in domestic terms, it seems he has no plans to wear any colours other than those of Italian football’s Old Lady as he went on to say:

Even if I don’t have the same passion, which normally decreases a little, I still enjoy the challenge. Even if I were to be offered twice my salary elsewhere, I’m staying at Juve for life. To be part of it makes me proud because they have a value. And certain values seem outdated nowadays.

Therefore it seems logical that the club would agree to those wishes, allowing Buffon to play two more years between the posts for Juventus.

[Socrates 8386]

Euro 2016 squad selector: Gigi Buffon

In the run-up to Euro 2016, Football Italia will be asking who Antonio Conte should select
in his Italy squad. Michelle Bonsu shoots down those calling for an early Gigi Buffon retirement.

http://www.football-italia.net/82394/euro-2016-squad-selector-gigi-buffon?

Apr 6, 2016

He might have celebrated his 38th birthday earlier this year, but Gianluigi Buffon is showing no signs of slowing down. The long-serving Juventus and Azzurri shot-stopper has written his name in Serie A’s history books thanks to heroics with the Bianconeri this season.

First, of course, those amazing 974 minutes without conceding a goal – a run eventually snapped by Torino during La Vecchia Signora’s 4-1 win in the Derby della Mole. And secondly, to go 10 consecutive games without having one’s goal breached is certainly no easy feat – despite having the best defensive trio of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli, and Giorgio Chiellini keeping most of the league’s strikers frustrated and quiet.

However, Buffon is 38, meaning that his glittering career will be nearing its conclusion within the next couple of years. The thought of the Bianconeri and Azzurri skipper hanging up his gloves surely sends shivers down the spines of his fans worldwide, as they cannot imagine a Juventus nor Italy side without his steady and confident presence between the posts.

Indeed, it is that quiet leadership that he provides both for his club and country that will be sorely missed both in future Serie A campaigns and international tournaments, and one will have to search far and wide to think of any possible disadvantages at having him remain as the No. 1 man for Italy at Euro 2016.

The last edition of Europe’s quadrennial tournament was a bittersweet moment for the Azzurri. Then under the guidance of Cesare Prandelli, Italy were not viewed as tournament favourites, yet made it all the way to the Final – before being humiliated 4-0 by Spain.

The Azzurri are hardly setting the Euro 2016 odds alight either, especially after a 4-1 friendly defeat to Germany, but we all know Italy are a tournament team.

And in the 2014 World Cup – which was his fourth – Buffon experienced further disappointment. Despite putting in a solid shift, including a Man of the Match performance against Uruguay, he was unable to prevent the Azzurri from crashing out at the group stage for the second WC running.

There are those who may have wanted to see current Coach Antonio Conte start to ease in some younger faces in goal. However, who exactly would they be? Salvatore Sirigu has proven to be a decent, but not spectacular, deputy when called upon. And despite the buzz surrounding Milan’s teenage wunderkind Gianluigi Donnarumma he is, despite his mammoth frame, only 17 years old – surely not by any means ready for a jump to the senior squad.

So, with that in mind, it should be unanimous. Gianluigi Buffon is the one to retain his spot between the posts, both for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. Beyond that, who knows what will happen, but as for the event in France kicking off in about two months’ time, he will be the one to lead the team out onto the pitch.

Italy may well be few peoples’ Euro 2016 tips for triumph, but few can argue they are not stronger with Buffon in goal.

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: 'Higuain not like Bonucci'

http://www.football-italia.net/82494/buffon-higuain-not-bonucci?

Apr 8, 2016

Gianluigi Buffon says Juventus 'stripped their opponents of all excuses', whilst denying Gonzalo Higuain's match ban can be compared to that of Leonardo Bonucci.

The goalkeeper was interviewed by La Stampa ahead of the big clash against Milan, scheduled for tomorrow evening at 19:45. Among the many topics he touched was the controversy surrounding Higuain's four-match ban for pushing the referee against Udinese, and the promising Rossonero 'keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“The right attitude and quality are things you're born with,” he told La Stampa, when asked about the 17-year-old Milan starter. “But when you're young – and even when you're older – you must never think you know everything. You must always think that you can improve.

“Higuain? I won't comment the four-match ban, that's not my place. I can only talk about Juventus.

“And this year Juventus stripped their opponents of all excuses. When you start with a handicap of 12-13 points and you find yourself at plus six at the end of the championship, there's little you can say.

“Sometimes I hear another argument, that Juve come short in the decisive moments. It makes me smile, but it doesn't make me laugh.

“After all, everything is relative. Against Sassuolo, in a moment that could have been decisive, Juve had two yellow cards for Giorgio Chiellini at the 25', and 10 minutes later there was a clear penalty on [stefano] Sturaro, which still burns. That could have been the end for us.

“But those who went to the Press conference looked at other responsibilities and faults. This is the difference.”

Higuain's ban was compared to an episode involving Leonardo Bonucci as accusations of a preferential treatment for Juventus mounted.

“It's right that a referee [Nicola Rizzoli] should explain what happened with Bonucci. But I find it intellectually dishonest that people should discuss the two episodes without noticing the difference.

“I heard and I read of an alleged head-butt by Bonucci on Rizzoli. I don't know, I was there and I didn't see it.

“Leonardo was aggressive and he approached the referee's head, but he never touched it. That makes a pretty substantial difference.”

[Socrates 8386]

Ventura: ‘Buffon best in the world’

http://www.football-italia.net/82730/ventura-%E2%80%98buffon-best-world%E2%80%99?

Apr 12, 2016

Torino Coach Giampiero Ventura says Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon “is the best goalkeeper in the world”.

It was the Granata who ended the shot-stopper’s unbeaten streak in the Derby della Mole last month, but the tactician is full of praise for the Bianconeri captain.

“A leader counts for a lot in a team,” Ventura noted in an interview with SportMediaset when asked about Buffon.

“If you have leaders, they can take responsibility and lead the team by the hand. Buffon is the best goalkeeper in the world, this is his best season.

“It’s difficult for Napoli to win the Scudetto, even if mathematically you can’t talk about the tricolore. The strongest team is winning.”

[Socrates 8386]

A fairytale no more! Buffon congratulates Champions
League-bound Leicester & 'Mister' Ranieri

The manager has secured a place at the top table for the Foxes next year, and the goalkeeper
welcomed his countryman to the competition ahead of a possible meeting.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2016/04/11/22258632/buffon-congratulates-leicester-ranieri?ICID=TP_HN_2

Apr 14, 2016

Juventus and Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon has paid tribute to compatriot Claudio Ranieri, after the Tinkerman guided Leicester City to the Champions League.

A 2-0 victory over Sunderland further advanced the Foxes' hopes of winning the Premier League, but also clinched them a guaranteed place in Europe's elite club competition.

Ranieri's exploits have made waves across the world, with Leicester on Monday becoming the first non-Italian side to dominate the front page of newspaper Corriere dello Sport, and Buffon made public his own support.

"Leicester is no more a fairytale, now is reality," the veteran goalkeeper wrote on his Twitter page.

"Welcome in Europe Mr. Claudio Ranieri!"

Buffon recently affirmed he plans to play two more years at the top before drawing the curtain on a glittering career.

Time enough, then, for another fairytale clash against the Foxes idol in the Champions League...

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: ‘Congratulations Parma!’

http://www.football-italia.net/83047/buffon-%E2%80%98congratulations-parma%E2%80%99

Apr 20, 2016

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon sends a message to his old side Parma - “welcome back among the professionals”.

The Ducali collapsed into bankruptcy at the end of last season, and were forced to begin again in Serie D, the highest amateur League.

With his old side having secured promotion to the Lega Pro at the weekend, the Italy captain offered his congratulations on Instagram.

“My dear Parma,” Buffon began.

“Welcome back among the professionals, where you deserve to be. I know what it means to fall down, get up, and regain the place you deserve.

“The road ahead of you to get back among the greats is still long, but yours is a wonderful story of football and love and I’m cheering for you.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon explains Juve comeback

http://www.football-italia.net/83241/buffon-explains-juve-comeback?

Apr 23, 2016

Gigi Buffon explains how he fired Juventus back into life after their dire start to the season. “We wanted to prove them wrong.”

The goalkeeper gave a lengthy interview to the Corriere dello Sport newspaper and touched on his role in the locker room.

“The captain is someone who puts his experience at the disposal of the others, especially the younger players, and tries to find the right language to express the responsibility of wearing the jersey of your club and national team.

“You must be recognised and also work for your teammates.”

Buffon famously blasted his teammates in public after their defeat to Sassuolo in October – which remains the last Serie A loss they suffered, going on to complete an extraordinary comeback.

“It was a very simple discussion we had. We all thought the same thing: if we didn’t win the Scudetto, or worse if we continued the disastrous way we started the season, people would’ve said all sorts of things.

“They would say that the reason for our collapse was the big players who had left, that we weren’t motivated anymore, that we were sated, that the players were now too old and past it. Everything. We wanted to prove them wrong.

“We made a few calculations and said that, ultimately, winning 25 or 26 games was not impossible. We’d done it the year before.

“We shook off the fear and started this wonderful climb.”

Juventus were in 12th place after that loss to Sassuolo in Week 10, having started the season with just three Serie A wins, three draws and four defeats.

That was followed by 23 wins in 24 rounds, plus a 0-0 at Bologna on February 19, putting them within touching distance of a fifth consecutive Scudetto.

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: 'I believe in gratitude'

http://www.football-italia.net/83242/buffon-i-believe-gratitude?

Apr 23, 2016

Gianluigi Buffon reveals why he stayed with Juventus in Serie B. “I believe in gratitude. Football is not just business, but sentiments.”

The Bianconeri were demoted after the Calciopoli scandal in 2006 and saw two Serie A titles stripped from their record, but World Cup winners like Buffon and Alessandro Del Piero stayed with the club throughout their resurgence.

“I could’ve left that summer and I was contacted by important clubs,” he told the Corriere dello Sport newspaper.

“But I decided to stay at Juve first of all because I believe in gratitude. It’s a value that we’d do well as a society to bring back to the surface.

“I also wanted to prove in concrete terms that the values of football I believe in are not just declared and trotted out rhetorically, but put into practice.

“Football is not just a business, it is also sentiments. The sport would die without the former or the latter, we ought to know that.

“In my small part, I tried to prove that was the case.”

There is a similar debate going on at Roma, where Francesco Totti wants to play on past the age of 40 and the club won’t offer him a new contract.

It has led to tension between the captain and Coach Luciano Spalletti, who points out Totti is no longer competitive enough to start games.

“I think what everyone thinks of Totti, that he is unique,” continued Buffon. “Nobody can ever write a story like his again.

“At the same time I think the primary concern has to be what’s best for Roma and Spalletti works coherently to ensure this priority.

“Totti will decide when to quit and I heard that the Coach thinks the same way. Basically, I think everyone is right, but they didn’t understand each other and it caused confusion.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: 'I want a sixth World Cup'

http://www.football-italia.net/83243/buffon-i-want-sixth-world-cup

Apr 24, 2016

Gigi Buffon reveals his ambition to play a record sixth World Cup, the strikers who gave him sleepless nights and his potential heirs.

The shot-stopper turned 38 in January, yet has just set a new all-time Serie A record by going 974 minutes without conceding a goal.

“For the next two years I’d like to continue playing the way I am now,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.

“I’d like to play a sixth World Cup. It would be a record to go down in history. The Mexican goalkeeper Toto Carbajal and Lothar Matthaus of Germany took part in five.

“Then I’ll make my considerations based on motivation, the situations and opportunities that will open up to me.”

In all these years at the top, who were the most frightening opponents Buffon has faced?

“Bobo Vieri in his prime and Ronaldo the Fenomeno. Those two gave me sleepless nights.”

While still a young man at Parma, Buffon famously parried a penalty from Inter hitman Ronaldo and started celebrating with the crowd while play continued.

The race is on to find an heir to SuperGigi in the Nazionale, so who does he tip for the Italy gloves in future?

“First of all I am happy that a group of quality goalkeepers has emerged in the next generation. We’ve always had a great school of goalkeeping in Italy and it’s important we see the fruits of that work.

“Other than Gianluigi Donnarumma, I could mention some youngsters like Emil Audero at Juve or Alex Meret at Udinese.

“In the previous generations there were the likes of Mattia Perin, Marco Sportiello, Andrea Consigli, Antonio Mirante and many more.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: 'Keepers are masochistic'

http://www.football-italia.net/83249/buffon-keepers-are-masochistic

Apr 24, 2016

Gigi Buffon discussed his early career, why “you need to be a little masochistic” as a goalkeeper and why “it’s exciting to be in the eye of the storm.”

The Juventus and Italy legend sat down for a lengthy interview with the Corriere dello Sport newspaper.

“I started out as a midfielder and was pretty good. At Carrara we played in a pathway surrounded by plants, which obviously acted as imaginary goalposts.

“We’d actually play in the street too, but there were few cars and we’d just dribble round them anyway.

“I liked to play further forward and score goals, as every kid all over the world does. I wasn’t bad and in fact played in that role in a Massa team that included Cristiano Zanetti and Marco Rossi, players who ended up in Serie A.

“I was good in midfield, but if I’d continued there, I fear I would not have had the career I did as a goalkeeper. Becoming a shot-stopper was one of those ‘Sliding Doors’ moments that happen in everyone’s life.

“The goalkeeper we had in the team was injured, so I gave it a go. I showed good abilities, which frankly even I wasn’t expecting.

“My real love for this role was during the 1990 World Cup in Italy. I was 12 years old and did not fall in love with Diego Maradona or Gary Lineker, nor even Roger Milla, but of Thomas N’Kono. The Cameroon goalkeeper was already 34 at the time, but he became a dream for me and changed my life.

“It is thanks to him, involuntarily, that I arrived where I did. He was a goalkeeper who thought outside the box, made some fantastic punches to clear, all things we weren’t used to seeing. It was love at first sight for N’Kono, but above all for his role.

“My father, who has always been a great sports fan, encouraged me to try for another year and then go back to being a forward. I accepted, thinking it’d be a year of detox from midfield, but I stepped between those posts and never left.

“I am grateful to my father, to N’Kono and to the injured player I replaced.”

Buffon was so thankful to N’Kono that he even named his son Thomas after the Cameroon legend.

He also explained that he was in the process of agreeing terms with Bologna and Milan after trial runs, but Parma stepped in and showed immense determination to sign him.

“The goalkeeper is the most difficult role in the sport. You need to be a little masochistic to play in a role where every mistake leads to a goal. That’s very different to missing a goal. The former is a certifiable negative, the latter a virtual possibility.

“I must also say that, at least for me, this is what makes the challenge more interesting and intriguing. I want to put it like this: I am proud to be a goalkeeper.

“If the three points are at stake, your thoughts are always on the action, predicting almost geometrically where the dangers will come from. However, when the result is locked down or the game less important, your mind does wonder to everyday life issues or you often look at the crowd. That’s the truth, but a good goalkeeper never gets distracted when the team needs him.

“The most important thing for a goalkeeper is the sense of certainty you transmit to others. You have to transmit that, regardless of what you might actually be feeling. Even if you are not sure of yourself, you need to let others believe you have control of the situation and they can rely on you.

“An insecure goalkeeper leads to an insecure team. You also need mental solidity to last a long time and make few mistakes. If you think about it, all the great goalkeepers had long careers.”

Buffon explains this is also important when a shot-stopper does commit a howler.

“It is perhaps there that you see the real quality of a Number 1. The next game, or even the next move after the error, you are filled with remorse and indecision. The more you make mistakes, the more you can make other errors, because your confidence can be attacked.

“But for me it’s the other way round. For me, right at that moment of the mistake begins a part of the challenge wrapped up in the most difficult job in football.

“Being in the eye of the storm is exciting to me. I have to prove that, having made a mistake, I slipped, but did not fall. I am right back on my feet to begin again.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: ‘Scudetto for Marchisio’

http://www.football-italia.net/83401/buffon-%E2%80%98scudetto-marchisio%E2%80%99?

Apr 25, 2016

Gigi Buffon dedicates Juventus’ Scudetto to Claudio Marchisio and says “I think I can play for another two years”.

The Bianconeri mathematically secured a fifth title in a row this afternoon, as Napoli lost to Roma following the Turin side’s win over Fiorentina last night.

The goalkeeper earlier described this as the most beautiful of his 9 Serie A titles, and has now dedicated the win to Marchisio, who is out with a cruciate ligament injury.

“A dedication?” Buffon considered in an interview with 90 minuto on Rai Sport.

“For Claudio Marchiso first and foremost, then to the group, the squad, the club and the fans.

“This is the most beautiful Scudetto because if the first [of the five, in 2012] was exciting because it was unexpected, this is exciting because it was so difficult.

“We’ve shown technical and moral values which aren’t found in many teams. We had the idea of making a comeback even when we were 15th, but to do that we had to get our hands dirty and have pride.

“Thoughts and words are abstract things if you don’t have a group with pride and dignity ready to absorb those messages.

“That determination was part of this group, from my young teammates who have integrated well to the older players with lots of chemistry we’ve been able to write pages in football history.”

Buffon broke the record for the longest time without conceding this season, but is still planning to hang up his gloves after the 2018 World Cup.

“My record was a good period that I lived and shared with my teammates. If I wasn’t playing in a great team I’d never have been able to achieve a record like that.

“Eternal thanks are due to them then, because they helped me to write an important personal chapter. We have to talk about the group though.

“The Champions League? I think I can play for another two years, it’s clear that if I didn’t have the ambition in my head then I’d have already stopped.

“I think I’m a pretty balanced person when it comes to achieving my goals, and I don’t think I’ve ever failed with my performance on the pitch so far.”

Finally, the goalkeeper was asked about the Coppa Italia final against Milan.

“It’s an important trophy that we won last year after many years,” Buffon noted.

“At Juve I’ve lost a lot of finals in this competition, and now we have to get ready for a challenge like the one in Rome, even if Milan can beat anyone in a one-off game.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: ‘I’ve won nine Scudetti’

http://www.football-italia.net/83420/buffon-%E2%80%98i%E2%80%99ve-won-nine-scudetti%E2%80%99?

Apr 26, 2016

Gianluigi Buffon insists Juventus have 34 Scudetti - “I’ve finished first in Serie A nine times, once in Serie B”.

Officially the Bianconeri have won 32 titles, as two were revoked during the Calciopoli scandal in 2006 when the club was sent down to Serie B.

FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio has said the Old Lady “did not steal anything”, and the Turin club launched legal action to have the Scudetti reinstated and the captain is still counting the wins in 2005 and 2006.

“I stayed in Serie B for a just cause,” Buffon told La Stampa.

“Life pays you back, and this time it hasn’t let me down. I’ve finished first in Serie A nine times, and once in Serie B, statements or pieces of paper don’t really change anything.”

The goalkeeper was also asked about the Derby with Torino in October, where Juan Cuadrado scored a last-minute winner.

“If they’d won it would have been all over. We were in the game though, and we won it at the death.”

[Socrates 8386]

Paese: ‘Buffon is unique’

http://www.football-italia.net/83534/paese-‘buffon-unique’?

Apr 28, 2016

Former Parma goalkeeping coach Fabrizio Paese describes Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon as “unique”.

The Bianconeri captain first broke through with the Ducali, making his debut at the age of 17 and going on to win the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia.

He then moved to Turin for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper, and has since won Serie A nine times, Serie B once and reached two Champions League finals, as well as winning the World Cup with Italy.

“Gigi has always been very strong in terms of character,” Paese told TuttoJuve.

“What he’s doing surprises even me a little. He’s not rare, he’s unique. They’ve probably thrown away the mould and won’t be able to make any more Buffons.

“I’ve been amazed by his performances, but the thing that’s so incredible about what he does is his reflexes.

“Usually when someone is his age, with more experience they improve their positioning, but he’s unique in terms of his reflexes.

“Even if I don’t know when he’ll stop, he’ll reach the level of Dino Zoff in terms of age and performance.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: 'I want Champions League'

http://www.football-italia.net/83643/buffon-i-want-champions-league

Apr 30, 2016

Juventus captain Gigi Buffon reveals his post-retirement preferences, but first “the Champions League hunt continues.”

The shot-stopper has shattered records this season, despite being 38 years old, and has said he’d like to play on until the age of 40.

“The time for receiving individual prizes has come and gone. Now I think of what is best for my club and country,” Buffon told TG1.

“The Champions League hunt continues. I have two years left, so two possibilities. Seeing as I don’t have that much of a chance, we must ensure we reduce our regrets to a minimum.”

Despite his stunning career, Buffon has never won the Champions League trophy.

He confirmed his desire to play in a record-breaking sixth World Cup in 2018, so what will he do after that?

“In my future I see more of a directorial role than a coaching one. The mind of the Coach wears you down so quickly.

“I have been a professional for 20 years and I think the directorial road is better for me.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon and Barzagli to 2018

http://www.football-italia.net/84129/buffon-and-barzagli-2018?

May 10, 2016

Gigi Buffon and Andrea Barzagli will renew their Juventus contracts until June 2018, it’s reported.

Sky Sport Italia claim the announcement will be made tomorrow.

Buffon’s current deal holds him to the club until June 2017, so it would be a one-year extension.

The goalkeeper will be 40 years old in 2018 and has already said he hopes to retire after playing the next World Cup.

Barzagli celebrated his 35th birthday on Sunday and his contract was due to expire at the end of this season.

He has been a regular in the back three and showed few of the fitness problems suffered by teammate Giorgio Chiellini.

This convinced the club to add another two years to his contract.

These two deals effectively mean Buffon and Barzagli will see out their careers with the Bianconeri shirt.