Gianluigi Buffon (60 Viewers)
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On Juventus' future ambitions: "To be competitive from the start we need money or a strong project for the future".
While Donadoni may be jealous, goalkeeper extraordinaire Gigi Buffon's admiration for coach Marcello Lippi is huge. The Azzurri number one confirmed his high opinion of the man who led Italy to World Cup glory last summer.
"As national team coach he was near perfect, while with Juve he still had some rough edges - Buffon said - he's capable of getting 110% from his players, he has exceptional skills from a technical and psychological point of view. He's the ideal coach."
So much so that Buffon is willing to admit: "We have such a strong bond that if he were to make me an offer from any club, I would be very tempted to rejoin him."
So what if AC Milan were to call up both men at once to their services? Buffon's words leave no door closed on the issue.
"Will Juve be competitive from the start? I think that to win you need a lot of money or an excellent long-term project. That's why I'm skeptical about winning the Scudetto right away, even though I appreciate the enthusiasm of Montezemolo."
Source: Goal.com
While Donadoni may be jealous, goalkeeper extraordinaire Gigi Buffon's admiration for coach Marcello Lippi is huge. The Azzurri number one confirmed his high opinion of the man who led Italy to World Cup glory last summer.
"As national team coach he was near perfect, while with Juve he still had some rough edges - Buffon said - he's capable of getting 110% from his players, he has exceptional skills from a technical and psychological point of view. He's the ideal coach."
So much so that Buffon is willing to admit: "We have such a strong bond that if he were to make me an offer from any club, I would be very tempted to rejoin him."
So what if AC Milan were to call up both men at once to their services? Buffon's words leave no door closed on the issue.
"Will Juve be competitive from the start? I think that to win you need a lot of money or an excellent long-term project. That's why I'm skeptical about winning the Scudetto right away, even though I appreciate the enthusiasm of Montezemolo."
Source: Goal.com
Friday 23 March
Gazzetta dello Sport
Careful Juve, Buffon’s going
Cobolli Gigli’s stop to Milan’s offer has opened a new complicated phase with the No 1. ‘Am I going? I deserve respect whatever decision I make’
Corriere dello Sport
‘Buffon can’t be touched’
Sporting director Secco: ‘He’ll stay with us, his admirers will be disappointed’
And the goalkeeper confirms: ‘Juve and myself will go into the Champions League together’
Gazzetta dello Sport
Careful Juve, Buffon’s going
Cobolli Gigli’s stop to Milan’s offer has opened a new complicated phase with the No 1. ‘Am I going? I deserve respect whatever decision I make’
Corriere dello Sport
‘Buffon can’t be touched’
Sporting director Secco: ‘He’ll stay with us, his admirers will be disappointed’
And the goalkeeper confirms: ‘Juve and myself will go into the Champions League together’
pretty stupid and annoying 
Sweet emotions
Dante Alighieri described Purgatory as a lofty island-mountain around which seven terraces rise one above another, connected by stairways in the rock. On the summit is the Garden of Eden, from which purged souls ascend to Heaven. The Divine Comedy offers up a nice parallel for Juventus's first season in Serie B. But goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is no soul in torment, particularly on international weeks when he steps outside Purgatory to put on his country's No1 jersey.
'Great satisfaction'
From winning the FIFA World Cup one week to playing in Serie B the next was a long way down for the man voted goalkeeper of the year by uefa.com readers, but the 29-year-old has no regrets about his decision to stay and help Juventus return to Serie A. "Being voted in the uefa.com Team of the Year is a great satisfaction for me," Buffon told uefa.com. "It is never easy to make a top eleven. I thought it would be even more difficult for me following my decision to play in Serie B. This award makes me understand that fans take the human aspect into account when they vote, not only the technical side.
'Smile on my face'
"I decided to stay because I wanted to repay Juventus and the people at the club. Usually I love the people who work for a club more than the club itself and I stayed to help those people I shared good and bad times with. I decided to think about other people instead of my own situation." Thanks in no small part to Buffon, Juventus should bounce straight back to Serie A, despite starting the season with a nine-point penalty. Juve may have dropped down a level, but that has not made the goalkeeper's job any easier and the Bianconeri have had Buffon's saves to thank for numerous points this season. "I'm living this experience with a smile on my face. I believe I'm playing well largely because I've always taken Serie B extremely seriously, never lightly or for granted. I think I play with the right mentality, focusing only to win the league and return where we belong as quickly as possible."
'Top of the mountain'
Buffon has a harder task on his hands with Italy who have got off to a slow start in their bid to qualify for UEFA EURO 2008™. Marcello Lippi was a tough act for new coach Roberto Donadoni to follow, but Buffon, who has won 72 caps for his country believes the Azzurri are on the right path once again. "We had a few problems at the beginning but I think the main concern was physical because our domestic league started later than others. Then we also paid for our World Cup hangover after our triumph in Germany. But I think we're back on the right track now.
'New motivation'
"Winning the World Cup is the moment when you reach the top of the mountain. You cannot go higher than that. The only way to be hungry for success again, to find new motivation, is to receive a few slaps in the face. It was like that when we drew at home against Lithuania and we lost in France. It can help to fall from the top and try to climb up again." Hence the self-imposed exile in Serie B. "I thought it was good to bring myself down to earth a bit by playing in the second division. I was sure I could find a different motivation in Serie B. I knew everything in Serie A, I think I knew every spectator by name. Discovering new emotions, playing in smaller arenas with a heated atmosphere every week has helped me improve as a player."
'Strong character'
It is a new experience, but one that cannot diminish the memories of a golden summer. "The whole group was the key for our World Cup success alongside a great coach [Lippi] who gave us that something extra we needed. Our group had a strong character and there were a few individual players who made the difference. Among them myself, [Gianluca] Zambrotta and [Fabio] Cannavaro who were also included in uefa.com's team of the year, but also players like [Gennaro] Gattuso, [Andrea] Pirlo, [Luca] Toni, [Franceso] Totti, [Alessandro] Del Piero and others.
Sweet memories
"The most important save I made was stopping Zinédine Zidane's header in the final. The most beautiful was Lukas Podolski's shot in the extra-time of the semi-final against Germany. Probably the sweetest memory of the whole tournament, however, was that run to hug [Fabio] Grosso after he scored the decisive penalty in the final against France. It didn't look real. When I thought about winning the World Cup, it was a dream, a utopia, something impossible to make real." Having had a glimpse of footballing heaven, Buffon is well on his way to hitting those heights once again.
Uefa.com
Dante Alighieri described Purgatory as a lofty island-mountain around which seven terraces rise one above another, connected by stairways in the rock. On the summit is the Garden of Eden, from which purged souls ascend to Heaven. The Divine Comedy offers up a nice parallel for Juventus's first season in Serie B. But goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is no soul in torment, particularly on international weeks when he steps outside Purgatory to put on his country's No1 jersey.
'Great satisfaction'
From winning the FIFA World Cup one week to playing in Serie B the next was a long way down for the man voted goalkeeper of the year by uefa.com readers, but the 29-year-old has no regrets about his decision to stay and help Juventus return to Serie A. "Being voted in the uefa.com Team of the Year is a great satisfaction for me," Buffon told uefa.com. "It is never easy to make a top eleven. I thought it would be even more difficult for me following my decision to play in Serie B. This award makes me understand that fans take the human aspect into account when they vote, not only the technical side.
'Smile on my face'
"I decided to stay because I wanted to repay Juventus and the people at the club. Usually I love the people who work for a club more than the club itself and I stayed to help those people I shared good and bad times with. I decided to think about other people instead of my own situation." Thanks in no small part to Buffon, Juventus should bounce straight back to Serie A, despite starting the season with a nine-point penalty. Juve may have dropped down a level, but that has not made the goalkeeper's job any easier and the Bianconeri have had Buffon's saves to thank for numerous points this season. "I'm living this experience with a smile on my face. I believe I'm playing well largely because I've always taken Serie B extremely seriously, never lightly or for granted. I think I play with the right mentality, focusing only to win the league and return where we belong as quickly as possible."
'Top of the mountain'
Buffon has a harder task on his hands with Italy who have got off to a slow start in their bid to qualify for UEFA EURO 2008™. Marcello Lippi was a tough act for new coach Roberto Donadoni to follow, but Buffon, who has won 72 caps for his country believes the Azzurri are on the right path once again. "We had a few problems at the beginning but I think the main concern was physical because our domestic league started later than others. Then we also paid for our World Cup hangover after our triumph in Germany. But I think we're back on the right track now.
'New motivation'
"Winning the World Cup is the moment when you reach the top of the mountain. You cannot go higher than that. The only way to be hungry for success again, to find new motivation, is to receive a few slaps in the face. It was like that when we drew at home against Lithuania and we lost in France. It can help to fall from the top and try to climb up again." Hence the self-imposed exile in Serie B. "I thought it was good to bring myself down to earth a bit by playing in the second division. I was sure I could find a different motivation in Serie B. I knew everything in Serie A, I think I knew every spectator by name. Discovering new emotions, playing in smaller arenas with a heated atmosphere every week has helped me improve as a player."
'Strong character'
It is a new experience, but one that cannot diminish the memories of a golden summer. "The whole group was the key for our World Cup success alongside a great coach [Lippi] who gave us that something extra we needed. Our group had a strong character and there were a few individual players who made the difference. Among them myself, [Gianluca] Zambrotta and [Fabio] Cannavaro who were also included in uefa.com's team of the year, but also players like [Gennaro] Gattuso, [Andrea] Pirlo, [Luca] Toni, [Franceso] Totti, [Alessandro] Del Piero and others.
Sweet memories
"The most important save I made was stopping Zinédine Zidane's header in the final. The most beautiful was Lukas Podolski's shot in the extra-time of the semi-final against Germany. Probably the sweetest memory of the whole tournament, however, was that run to hug [Fabio] Grosso after he scored the decisive penalty in the final against France. It didn't look real. When I thought about winning the World Cup, it was a dream, a utopia, something impossible to make real." Having had a glimpse of footballing heaven, Buffon is well on his way to hitting those heights once again.
Uefa.com
Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli is certain that Gianluigi Buffon will remain with the Old Lady of Italian football.
The goalkeeper has been paired with a summer move and fuelled speculation that he might leave yesterday, by stating that he was willing to follow Marcello Lippi if he were to start a new job with an important club.
“When Buffon spoke about Lippi he was just praising his former Coach,” said Cobolli Gigli on Friday.
“He is a great champion and I am sure that he will just focus on the month of April, which is very important for us in order to secure our promotion to Serie A.
“After that, we will find a way to give him the motivation he needs for next season. I am sure he will stay with us.”
Buffon has reiterated in the past that he was willing to remain in Turin next season following their expected return to Serie A, so long as the club could build a competitive side.
Meanwhile, Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has again rubbished rumours that Buffon is still a target after Nelson Dida finally extended his deal with the Via Turati outfit.
“Buffon is an excellent player, but we confirmed our trust in Dida recently,” commented the former Lega Calcio chief. “He will still be our goalkeeper as he represents our future.”
Galliani also took the opportunity to dismiss links with Barcelona’s Gianluca Zambrotta and Mauro Camoranesi of Juventus.
“We went for Zambrotta along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic last summer, but we couldn’t sign them as we were not sure of our place in the Champions League,” he added.
“Therefore Zambrotta will not arrive and it is the same case for Camoranesi.”
Football Italia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The goalkeeper has been paired with a summer move and fuelled speculation that he might leave yesterday, by stating that he was willing to follow Marcello Lippi if he were to start a new job with an important club.
“When Buffon spoke about Lippi he was just praising his former Coach,” said Cobolli Gigli on Friday.
“He is a great champion and I am sure that he will just focus on the month of April, which is very important for us in order to secure our promotion to Serie A.
“After that, we will find a way to give him the motivation he needs for next season. I am sure he will stay with us.”
Buffon has reiterated in the past that he was willing to remain in Turin next season following their expected return to Serie A, so long as the club could build a competitive side.
Meanwhile, Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has again rubbished rumours that Buffon is still a target after Nelson Dida finally extended his deal with the Via Turati outfit.
“Buffon is an excellent player, but we confirmed our trust in Dida recently,” commented the former Lega Calcio chief. “He will still be our goalkeeper as he represents our future.”
Galliani also took the opportunity to dismiss links with Barcelona’s Gianluca Zambrotta and Mauro Camoranesi of Juventus.
“We went for Zambrotta along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic last summer, but we couldn’t sign them as we were not sure of our place in the Champions League,” he added.
“Therefore Zambrotta will not arrive and it is the same case for Camoranesi.”
Football Italia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gigi Buffon has urged his team-mates to pretend they are the underdogs against Scotland.
Because he fears Italy will be DOOMED if they underestimate their opponents in midweek.
Buffon said: "As winners of the World Cup we should feel on a level par with other teams, if not worse. We must never allow ourselves to become bored with success. The day we think we should be more privileged than others and lose our hunger is the day we should not be playing at the top level. We must feel inferior - that is the fuel to keep us motivated.
"Scotland are like any other opponents, they are so difficult. We know we cannot take anything for granted otherwise we are doomed. But apart from anything else the reason we can't relax is not because we're World Cup winners or anything else - it's simply because we have to win this game because of ours and Scotland's positions in the group."
The £32 million Juventus No.1 says he realised Scotland were back on the football map despite their 2-0 defeat in Italy in Walter Smith's first game in charge.
After some dismal defeats during Berti Vogts' reign the result helped restore Scottish pride.
Buffon said: "I have played against Rangers with Parma and Celtic with Juventus. But when there are so many different nationalities in club sides it's hard to base the strength of a national game on that. While I've always had difficult games against Scottish opponents, it was in the San Siro two years ago I realised they were a strong side. I saw a team that had logic in their play, who knew how to play football and also individually had some excellent players."
If Italy needed another incentive to beat the Scots it's the uncertainty over Donadoni's future, with AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti linked with taking over the Azzurri hotseat.
Buffon said: "The best thing we can do is win for him. The only way we can do that is on the field by proving we are a good side."
Buffon was also at the centre of speculation last week. Marcello Lippi was linked with the Chelsea manager's job and the keeper was tipped to follow him.
Buffon refused to rule anything out and said: "Lippi is a trainer with few faults - he is a man who is perfecting himself.
"Marcello knows how to put you on the pitch with a game plan and that's priceless.
"We have a strong relationship but I work for Juventus and have obligations. It's not just him who decides what happens with me."
Sunday Mail
Because he fears Italy will be DOOMED if they underestimate their opponents in midweek.
Buffon said: "As winners of the World Cup we should feel on a level par with other teams, if not worse. We must never allow ourselves to become bored with success. The day we think we should be more privileged than others and lose our hunger is the day we should not be playing at the top level. We must feel inferior - that is the fuel to keep us motivated.
"Scotland are like any other opponents, they are so difficult. We know we cannot take anything for granted otherwise we are doomed. But apart from anything else the reason we can't relax is not because we're World Cup winners or anything else - it's simply because we have to win this game because of ours and Scotland's positions in the group."
The £32 million Juventus No.1 says he realised Scotland were back on the football map despite their 2-0 defeat in Italy in Walter Smith's first game in charge.
After some dismal defeats during Berti Vogts' reign the result helped restore Scottish pride.
Buffon said: "I have played against Rangers with Parma and Celtic with Juventus. But when there are so many different nationalities in club sides it's hard to base the strength of a national game on that. While I've always had difficult games against Scottish opponents, it was in the San Siro two years ago I realised they were a strong side. I saw a team that had logic in their play, who knew how to play football and also individually had some excellent players."
If Italy needed another incentive to beat the Scots it's the uncertainty over Donadoni's future, with AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti linked with taking over the Azzurri hotseat.
Buffon said: "The best thing we can do is win for him. The only way we can do that is on the field by proving we are a good side."
Buffon was also at the centre of speculation last week. Marcello Lippi was linked with the Chelsea manager's job and the keeper was tipped to follow him.
Buffon refused to rule anything out and said: "Lippi is a trainer with few faults - he is a man who is perfecting himself.
"Marcello knows how to put you on the pitch with a game plan and that's priceless.
"We have a strong relationship but I work for Juventus and have obligations. It's not just him who decides what happens with me."
Sunday Mail
Gigi is the man! We needed the Italian side to be complacent for us to have any chance of a result on their home ground. However Gigi has put the kibosh on that! Clever guy, our Gigi!
