16 January 2015
Gigi Buffon has cited the overall team display, Simone Pepe’s return to first-team action and the support shown at a packed out Juventus Stadium as the most pleasing aspects from last night’s resounding 6-1 Coppa Italia triumph over Hellas Verona.
Speaking exclusively to the club’s in-house television service Jtv, the captain began: “We put in a convincing performance yesterday. It was pleasing to see Pepe back looking lively and the crowd at Juventus Stadium, whose attendance for a Coppa Italia fixture was truly important.”
The goalkeeper, however, warned that the Gialloblu will be out to exact revenge for the drubbing when they return to Turin this weekend for a second meeting in three days.
“Sunday will be a different game entirely, against a team that perhaps won’t play as openly as they did last night. They’ll more than likely have it in for us because nobody likes to lose in such a resounding fashion. Looking at the characteristics of their coach, they’ll find energy and plenty of anger to try and avenge this defeat.”
Buffon moved on to express his overall satisfaction with the way the season is progressing and believes the team will continue to grow as the campaign gathers momentum.
“If we had won the Super Cup it would have been an exceptional first half of the season, one above all expectations. Aside from that defeat, the indications Juventus have given show that the team is evolving, many players are maturing and are looking to confirm themselves on the European stage.
“That’s certainly the aim: get as far as we can in the Champions League, reclaim the title in Italy and win the Coppa Italia. It’s been too long since we last lifted it.”
When asked to pick out two saves of the season so far, Buffon plumped for crucial interventions made in the home meetings with Sampdoria and Atletico Madrid.
“If I had to choose two, one of the best was definitely the stop I made against Sampdoria at home. An important one would be the save against Atletico Madrid at home given the game’s importance. Even though I don’t like to big myself up, I’m really happy with what both the team and I are doing.”
