Gianluigi Buffon (132 Viewers)
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Gianluigi Buffon reveals frustration of waiting for Juventus 'project' to bring trophies
Juventus star Gianluigi Buffon has admitted his frustration with the Italian giants' slow progress in their plan to re-emerge as a force in European football.
The Turin-based side were relegated to Serie B in 2006 after the Calciopoli scandal and have struggled to compete for honours since their return to the top flight, only managing to finish seventh in Serie A last season.
Buffon, the Italy goalkeeper, is desperate for Juventus to once again challenge for trophies including the Champions League, but believes the club's downturn in fortunes reflects the current status of Italian football in comparison with the Premier League and La Liga.
“Five years ago, when the story of Juventus changed, I got married to a project for the club to be reborn,” Buffon told Goal.com.
“The club has tried to follow the project but the results have not followed. It's has not been as good or as quick as previously hoped.
“But here we are and the club needs to reach this target as quickly as possible.
“Not being in the Champions League definitely makes it more frustrating for players like myself. People like myself and Alessandro Del Piero have the attitude to participate at the top levels in football.
“The fact we won't participate next season means the team and the players need to work hard to reach this target in the future.
“But we also have to consider that from next year, there will only be three Italian teams qualifying for the Champions League, so therefore it will be even more difficult.
“The reason for why no Italian teams reached the semi-final of the Champions League this season is not a question of the Italian league.
“It's a question of budget. At the moment, Italian football has a little less budget in comparison with other countries. Therefore, the final result is a little bit poorer.”
Juventus, Italy's most successful domestic team ever, have been linked with a number of top players this summer including Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero and Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi as they look to challenge AC Milan and Inter for the Scudetto next season.
Buffon, 33, accepts that Juventus are a less attractive proposition for potential signings than in the past and feels that a lack of Champions League football and a comparatively small budget are the two determining factors.
“Juventus at the moment has a less attractive appeal than what it was before,” he explained. “The very important players all want to play in the Champions League if they are going to sign for Juventus.
“Unfortunately, Juventus are not in the Champions League. Or the players demand a huge amount of money, which they do not wish to spend.
“It's solely about budget. If we compare the budget of Juventus and the main European clubs in Spain, Italy and Germany, the difference is quite big.”
Buffon, who became the most expensive goalkeeper in history when he joined Juventus from Parma for €53 million in 2001, has denied speculation that he could leave the club and says he has four years left at the highest level.
He continued: “At the moment, the prospect of me leaving Juventus does not exist. When you get married in two, you have to divorce in two.
“If something does happen, it depends not only on my will but also the will of the club. At the moment, there is nothing to add.
“I have no problems staying at Juve if the project is as ambitious as they say.
“I have four more years at the top level. After that, I think I can continue but not at the top level. The day the Italian team stops calling me up, I think I will give up.”
Juventus star Gianluigi Buffon has admitted his frustration with the Italian giants' slow progress in their plan to re-emerge as a force in European football.
The Turin-based side were relegated to Serie B in 2006 after the Calciopoli scandal and have struggled to compete for honours since their return to the top flight, only managing to finish seventh in Serie A last season.
Buffon, the Italy goalkeeper, is desperate for Juventus to once again challenge for trophies including the Champions League, but believes the club's downturn in fortunes reflects the current status of Italian football in comparison with the Premier League and La Liga.
“Five years ago, when the story of Juventus changed, I got married to a project for the club to be reborn,” Buffon told Goal.com.
“The club has tried to follow the project but the results have not followed. It's has not been as good or as quick as previously hoped.
“But here we are and the club needs to reach this target as quickly as possible.
“Not being in the Champions League definitely makes it more frustrating for players like myself. People like myself and Alessandro Del Piero have the attitude to participate at the top levels in football.
“The fact we won't participate next season means the team and the players need to work hard to reach this target in the future.
“But we also have to consider that from next year, there will only be three Italian teams qualifying for the Champions League, so therefore it will be even more difficult.
“The reason for why no Italian teams reached the semi-final of the Champions League this season is not a question of the Italian league.
“It's a question of budget. At the moment, Italian football has a little less budget in comparison with other countries. Therefore, the final result is a little bit poorer.”
Juventus, Italy's most successful domestic team ever, have been linked with a number of top players this summer including Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero and Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi as they look to challenge AC Milan and Inter for the Scudetto next season.
Buffon, 33, accepts that Juventus are a less attractive proposition for potential signings than in the past and feels that a lack of Champions League football and a comparatively small budget are the two determining factors.
“Juventus at the moment has a less attractive appeal than what it was before,” he explained. “The very important players all want to play in the Champions League if they are going to sign for Juventus.
“Unfortunately, Juventus are not in the Champions League. Or the players demand a huge amount of money, which they do not wish to spend.
“It's solely about budget. If we compare the budget of Juventus and the main European clubs in Spain, Italy and Germany, the difference is quite big.”
Buffon, who became the most expensive goalkeeper in history when he joined Juventus from Parma for €53 million in 2001, has denied speculation that he could leave the club and says he has four years left at the highest level.
He continued: “At the moment, the prospect of me leaving Juventus does not exist. When you get married in two, you have to divorce in two.
“If something does happen, it depends not only on my will but also the will of the club. At the moment, there is nothing to add.
“I have no problems staying at Juve if the project is as ambitious as they say.
“I have four more years at the top level. After that, I think I can continue but not at the top level. The day the Italian team stops calling me up, I think I will give up.”
