Buffon: «Come on lads!»
Gigi Buffon is Vinovo with his team mates, where he is following his recovery programme after the operation to his knee in mid-December. He will not be taking part in the first phase of 2010 and will be replaced by his deputy, Alexander Manninger: :
«I am sure he will do well, just like he did in other occasions when he was called to replace me». With regards to goalkeepers, a message of affection towards Van der Sar could not be left out:
«All of us at Juventus, and all the football world are close to him in this difficult moment».
In these last few days, Gigi saw his team mated train a few metres away from him and he was able to share the dressing room and the sensations with them which he deduced as being positive:
«I saw great attention and commitment from all – he stated -, and I really hope that the lest performances of 2009 will remain simply a bad memory. We must get back to being the real Juve. Now there is the championship and then there will be the Coppa Italia and in February the Europa League: we want to challenge for each and every one of these titles till the very end».
The start of 2010 will not be a simple one, with a match away in Parma and Milan at the Olimpico. Buffon spoke of his former team, which awaits the bianconeri in a mid-week encounter on Epiphany Day:
«Parma is one of the revelations of this championship. They play well, have a good squad and has obtained important results. I must admit that I am happy about this because I have splendid memories of my experience in Parma. The match on the 6th of January is a very important stage for Juventus:
«It will not be easy to come out of the Tardini with three points, but I know that the lads will give all they have and I hope that they can make it. A victory would be an important sign and the best way to start 2010 on the right foot».
Juventus.com