Juve lost to world’s best team: Buffon

BERLIN: Gianluigi Buffon insists his Juventus side lost to the ‘world’s best team’ in their 3-1 Champions League defeat against Barcelona after the Italian champions were outgunned. For the 37-year-old goalkeeper it was a second Champions League final disappointment as he also tasted defeat to AC Milan in the 2003 final.

“There was a moment, a tenminute spell, when we thought we had the match in our hands and that’s exactly when we lost it,” rued the Juventus captain as Barcelona claimed the treble with their fifth European title.

“It would have been an extraordinary result. We didn’t manage to win, but not because we didn’t’ try: we gave everything we had.

“Barcelona are the best team in the world in my opinion, but we have proved that we could compete.”

Buffon says the team has a bright future. “We conceded early on, but we were always in the game. This performance gives us hope and confidence.

“We can make sure we stay at this level next season and within the next two or three years — who knows? — maybe I’ll manage to make some other dreams come true.”