PROMISED LAND
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL Alves out to fulfil his vow and make Buffon a champion
Serie A: Coppa Italia: European Cup/ Champions League: UEFA Cup/Europa League: 3 Cup Winners’ Cup: 1 UEFA Super Cup: 2 Italian Super Cup: 7 La Liga: Copa del Rey: European Cup/ Champions League: UEFA Cup/Europa League: 2 Club World Cup: 2 UEFA Super Cup: 3 Spanish Super Cup: 10
DANI ALVES is aiming to deliver on a promise he made to Gianluigi Buffon.
The Brazilian star already has two Champions League winners’ medals from his eight years with Barcelona.
He switched to Italian giants Juventus last summer after a glittering, trophy-laden career at the Nou Camp.
But the man who stands behind him tonight, 39-year-old Buffon, has never got his massive hands on the trophy.
And that’s why the Italian legend sent Alves a text message when he arrived to play for the famous Old Lady.
Buffon said: “It’s true. I sent him a message saying, ‘I hope you can teach us how to do it’.
History
“He sent me one back and it said, ‘Yes, I will make you win the Champions League’.
“He’s delivered the dream so far and he has been a revelation.”
Alves knows he’s on the brink of history by becoming the first player to hang three Champions League winners’ medals around his neck.
The 34-year-old said: “That is exactly what it is – something you can look back on when your career is over. Another page in the story.
“But for me, it’s not much use right now. I can’t be thinking about that.
“Our team is much bigger than that.
“That’s why I accepted this challenge by coming here. We are dreaming – and we don’t want to have nightmares!”
He added: “Real Madrid have some big players and have won many trophies but we are not afraid of them. We are here to win the trophy. The only obsession I have is to win. With all due respect to Real, we are not afraid of them or the titles they have won. “It’s like we’ve got a plate of food in front of us and we are hungry – we want it.” Alves revealed there’s another thing being dangled in front of them which could prove quite an incentive, adding with a grin: “The club president said we might find some Ferraris popping up somewhere. “Now that motivates you. I’m just hoping the president is true to his word.” Juventus boss Max Allegri was in bullish mood, despite the fact that the club have lost the last four Champions League finals they have played in.
Allegri said: “Statistics mean nothing. History doesn’t count or have any bearing on what happens.
“There is no point dwelling on what has happened 15 or 20 years ago.
“Reaching the final twice in the last three years is good – but it’s not enough.
“We must win. We haven’t come here to visit Cardiff.
“We have come here to take the cup home with us.”