Parkhead won't ruffle Buffon

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon insists he will not be intimidated by a 60,000 sell-out Celtic Park.

Last Updated: 11/02/13 at 19:38 Post Comment   

Gianluigi Buffon: Won't be intimidated

Gianluigi Buffon: Won't be intimidated

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon insists he will not be intimidated by a 60,000 sell-out Celtic Park on Tuesday night.

The 35-year-old Italian international was on the bench in October 2001, when Juventus lost 4-3 to the Hoops at Parkhead in a dramatic Champions League qualifier.

That was not his first experience of a Glasgow football crowd, having played for Parma against Rangers in a UEFA Cup match at Ibrox in 1998, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and again in a Champions League qualifier the following year when the Light Blues won 2-0.

However, while Celtic Park gears up for another great European night when the Old Lady of Italy visits for the first-leg of the Champions League last-16 clash, Buffon refused to buy into the cliche of the crowd being the 12th man.

He said: "I have played here (Glasgow) two or three times with Parma and Juventus although the last time 10 years ago I was on the bench.

"It was the last match in the group and we had already qualified.

"The atmosphere is very British in many ways but as far as I can remember, no fan has ever scored a goal.

"Certainly the crowd can help Celtic but only to a certain point.

"The opponents can't get carried away with this and must focus on their own game.

"The most hostile atmospheres I have ever played in, I would probably have to say is Turkey, at Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.

"Of course, here, at both Celtic and Rangers, they have stadiums that when full have an excellent atmosphere, we already know this and we respect this very much."

Buffon, though, does not believe that keeping a clean sheet will guarantee a Juventus a safe passage into the quarter-finals.

He said: "If I don't concede a goal tomorrow night then we can be sure that we will at least get a draw which will be something that would be very good to build on for the second-leg, but only to a certain extent.

"It's not a case of us going out to attack and Celtic going out to defend, both teams will play to their strengths to try to win the game.

"It wouldn't be categorical that we would be going through if I don't concede a goal tomorrow but it would certainly be a good start."

Manager Antonio Conte admits he was bemused by the commotion surrounding Juventus's decision to train at Rangers' Murray Park training complex this morning.

"It was only really through the Italian press that I learned that there was such surprise and astonishment here in Scotland that we had used Rangers training pitch," he said.

"I have to say I found some of the criticisms rather strange. The choice was a purely technical one.

"The clubs were able to reach this agreement. We needed a training pitch with two goalposts and as far as I'm concerned that's it."


Click here for completely free £10 bet with Sky Bet & £5 free every week


Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Blackburn appoint Gary Bowyer as manager on 12-month rolling contract

Blackburn have confirmed the appointment of Gary Bowyer as the club's new manager on a 12-month rolling contract.

Inter Milan appoint Walter Mazzarri as coach after sacking Andrea Stramaccioni

Inter Milan have named Walter Mazzarri as the club's new coach on a two-year contract after sacking Andrea Stramaccioni.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis clarifies Rafa Benitez comments

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has clarified earlier comments regarding a deal being agreed with Rafa Benitez.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved