The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Juve veteran eyes elusive medal
Buffon determined to grab chance as Bale awaits nod
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon knows he cannot let slip this chance to finally fulfil his dream of Champions League glory.
The best shot-stopper of his generation has a medal collection befitting his standing in the game, but continental glory remains a glaring omission from the veteran’s successladen CV.
Buffon is the sole survivor of the Juventus side that lost the 2003 final to AC Milan and feared his last chance at Champions League glory had passed by after suffering the same fate against Barcelona two years ago.
But, at the age of 39, the World Cup winner finally has a chance to win the trophy he dreams of when Massimiliano Allegri’s side face holders Real Madrid under the roof in Cardiff tonight.
“Probably the emotions I might feel might be different to any other guy who is younger than me or any other player like Dani,” Buffon said, sat next to threetime Champions League winner Dani Alves at yesterday’s press conference.
“Dani has already won this competition and he has at least four or five years ahead of him in his career
“I have to exclude this possibility as far as I am concerned, so, yes, it will be much more special for me.
“But at the same time, I want to play this game without regrets and without thinking of these issues.
“This is my moral imperative for this game and I hope I can manage to do that because our team is very compact and based on collaboration.
“I am aware that if I play well, I will be able to help my team so this would be the greatest gift I could give my teammates.”
Buffon is the last line of a miserly defence that has conceded just three goals in Juventus’ unbeaten journey to Cardiff, producing displays that have belied his advancing years.
At 39 years 126 days, the Italy international would replace compatriot Paolo Maldini as the oldest player to win the Champions League, but such records mean little to someone who still feels like a “young boy”.
“When you get to this stage, you know perfectly well how you arrived here and all the effort that you have had to put into your work,” Buffon said.
“There’s nothing better in life than to obtain a reward after working so hard and sweating to get it.
“There’s nothing better than sharing this prize with your team-mates, with a group of people that you’ve worked with for months and months, with teammates who have perhaps worked even more than I have to reach this point.”
Juventus knocked out Porto, Barcelona and Monaco to set-up
tonight’s final against a Real Madrid side attempting to retain the Champions League crown.
It looks to be the unstoppable force against the immovable object, but something has to give and Buffon hopes it is the Bianconeri’s poor record on the biggest stage.
Juventus have lost their past four Champions League finals and six in total – more than any other club.
Real head coach Zinedine Zidane refused to offer any clues as to whether Gareth Bale will start the final in his home city.
Bale has declared himself fit after a calf problem.
The Wales forward has not played since coming off in the first half of El Clasico on April 23, and he admitted he may have rushed his return following an operation in November.
Spanish international Isco shone in Bale’s absence as Real secured their first LaLiga title since 2012, and manager Zidane remained coy on his selection headache at his press conference.
“I’m not going to tell you who’s going to play tomorrow,” Zidane said.
“Isco and Bale are two players who can also play together; in the long run, anything can happen.
“When I look at my squad, what’s good is that they’re all ready and willing to play. It’s not only mentally, of course, they have to be ready physically too.
“That’s what I’m interested in right now, everyone in good shape and at a high level.”
Real, aiming to become European champions for a record 12th time, have scored 169 goals in all competitions this season and possess the current Ballon d’Or holder in Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Zidane insists Real can not be considered favourites against his former club, the Frenchman having spent five years of his playing career in Turin between 1996 and 2001.
“We know all about pressure at Real Madrid,” Zidane said.
“We’re always favourites, but in reality in a final there are no favourites.
“We’re not favourites, nor are Juventus. It’s 50-50. But we’re in the final again, and everything is possible.”
Some observers have suggested Juventus will adopt a cautious approach to blunt Real’s attacking weapons.
But Zidane feels that the repeat of the 1998 final, which Real won 1-0, will be an open and entertaining affair.
“I expect an open game on both sides,” he said.