Buffon: I'm not ready for Viola
Friday 2 December, 2005
Gianluigi Buffon made his long-awaited comeback from a shoulder injury, but insists Christian Abbiati should start against Fiorentina on Sunday.
“I would be a liar if I said I felt as if nothing had changed from before the injury,” said the Juventus goalkeeper after the 2-2 Coppa Italia draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi last night.
“When you’re coming back from a long time out, you always struggle a little bit. I felt a bit lost, especially in such a chaotic atmosphere, but these are things you can expect in this sport. I feel good physically, so I am just lacking something in my psychological approach to the game situation.”
It was a particularly fiery encounter on Thursday evening that saw play halted for 35 minutes after tear gas from crowd trouble outside the stadium floated into the arena. It was Buffon’s first match since damaging his shoulder in an accidental clash with Kaka on August 14, but he admits he probably won’t be back at the Stadio Franchi for Sunday’s Serie A tie.
“I have already spoken to Fabio Capello about this and he agreed it’s best to go with someone more mentally prepared at the moment, so I could make a more official comeback in the Champions League at Rapid Vienna next Wednesday. I don’t think Juve are in any rush, as Abbiati has done well in my absence.”