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MILAN. — Gianluigi Buffon remembers only too well the pain of losing a Champions League soccer final, but the legendary Juventus goalkeeper is hoping a return to Berlin’s Olympiastadion brings happier memories against Barcelona tomorrow.
“We can’t go there (Berlin) to make up the numbers. This match means far too much to us,” said Buffon, whose exploits for Juventus and Italy over two decades have hoisted the 37-year-old up among the sport’s greatest goalkeepers.
Along with Italy and Juventus teammates Andrea Pirlo and Andrea Barzagli, Buffon has fond memories of Berlin’s Olympiastadion — the scene of Italy’s controversial World Cup victory over France in 2006 when Zinedine Zidane saw red in the final. But reaching another Champions League was always just a dream.
“In my head I never had any doubts through these nine years, although at one point I had a serious injury, but I knew I wanted to get to the Champions League final,” Buffon said after Juve ousted Real Madrid over two legs to book their first final since their 2003 defeat to AC Milan.
“We need to take the last step, and most difficult step.”
For Buffon, it could be now or never, but the prospect of trying to stop Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar —who have scored 120 goals between them this season — is a challenge that seems to be growing on Juventus. — AFP.
Online Reporter