23 February 2015
Gigi Buffon says the Bianconeri are determined to prolong their European adventure beyond the last 16 stage but acknowledges they will be pushed all the way by a Borussia Dortmund side who revel in the big-game atmosphere.
Speaking on the eve of tomorrow’s first leg at Juventus Stadium, the captain began: “In the dressing room there’s the desire to keep this dream going for as long as possible. We’re aware we’re up against a tough team who were in the final two years ago and won this year’s group with assurance.
“This shows that, aside from their current league placing, their best comes out when the stakes are high. We’re facing one of the finest sides in the world, who are capable of beating anyone.”
The goalkeeper claims Juventus have improved since they last sampled the Champions League’s last 16 stage back in 2013 and says he is keen to see how they size up against one of the competition’s front runners over the course of an intriguing double-header.
“We’re curious to see how much progress we’ve made. Tomorrow’s game is a bit like those we faced two years ago against Celtic or Bayern. After last year’s ‘sabbatical’ we aspire to measure ourselves up against teams who have been playing top level European football for a number of years like Borussia.
“In the last two years we’ve improved in terms of our play and conviction and we also have added individuals who can raise us to the next level.”
One of the main opposition threats who will be looking to stop the Bianconeri in their tracks is Marco Reus, who Buffon identified as a man to keep close tabs on tomorrow night.
He concluded: “Reus is a great talent. He’s had a long injury layoff and I hope he’s a little bit rusty. If he was at 100 per cent he’d be be an added problem for us.”
