26 August 2017
Recovering from 2-0 down away from home and winning the game is no mean feat but that's exactly what Juventus did at the Marassi - something Gigi Buffon described as “a clear demonstration of our technical, tactical and moral strength”.
“We gave ourselves a lot to do,” the captain admitted, speaking after the 4-2 victory at the Marassi.
"Giving yourself a two-goal handicap is not the best way to start the game but I do think their 2-0 lead was rather fortuitous, objectively speaking. We did well to turn it around.”
After witnessing two penalty awards following VAR analysis – one for and one against – the Bianconeri skipper offered his own take on the new technology.
“Once they're able to use it sparingly and judiciously I think it will be an excellent aid. The only risk is there's less emphasis on the referee's assessment and his sensibility in managing the game.
"Not every contact in the box should be a penalty and a good referee is able to determine whether a wrongful advantage has been gained: his sensitivity is very important and I wouldn't like to lose that human element.
“I think VAR should only be used for really extreme cases and not for every contact. To be quite honest, from where I was standing I wouldn't have given either spot-kick today. Perhaps they were penalties in a scientific football world but not in the real football world.”
The skipper also wished to thank everyone at the club after picking up the prize for Best Goalkeeper of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League season in Monte Carlo at the Champions League group-stage draw on Thursday.
“I was delighted because it's an award I think I deserved to win – at the age of 39 too. It's reward for all the sacrifices I've made and the winning mentality I've developed thanks to Juve, which I've further improved thanks to my team-mates.
“I said a heartfelt thank you to the lads, the coaching staff, the coach and the club because if I won this award much of the credit goes to them.
“I was slightly sad to see so many stars there and nearly all of them Real Madrid players because I think a few Juve players deserved to be there too. To do that we need improve even more and go one step further.”
