27 September 2015
Gigi Buffon says he is convinced the Bianconeri have the strength and character required to overcome their early season difficulties.
The goalkeeper, speaking the day after the team’s reverse in Naples, believes Juventus have always come out fighting in times in times of adversity and is confident of seeing these battling qualities brought to the fore over the coming weeks.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, the captain began: “Juventus have been the strongest side over these past four years, a great deal of changes have been made and we’ve only played eight games so far.
“In some matches we’ve put in convincing performances and have taken the plaudits, in others less so and have come in for derision. This means that we’re still looking for our balance.
“When we find our identity and click as a unit we’ll be a real force to be reckoned with. We’ve shown that in the toughest matches and this needs to be the platform upon which we can build.”
Righting the wrongs of last night’s defeat against Napoli was first on the agenda this morning, as the Bianconeri returned to Vinovo to commence preparations for Wednesday evening’s Champions League meeting with Sevilla.
Watching the training session unfold was club president Andrea Agnelli, whose presence on the touchline represents a source of comfort for Buffon.
“Agnelli being there is telling. He wants to show that the club is right there alongside us and will be for every moment of the season, both good and bad. It’s a reassuring sign for the players. This, along with the first Scudetto of our resurgence, is the toughest challenge we’ve faced. But I thrive on challenges and the more difficult they are, the greater the joy when you overcome them.”
Several factors lie behind these challenges that Buffon and his team-mates now find themselves tackling, and the captain says the players must shoulder the responsibility when it comes to performances on the pitch.
Analysing potential causes of the Bianconeri’s slow start to the season, he said: “Missing key players through injury is certainly a reason, but we’ve also changed system many times due to the boss having to adapt to the players at his disposal. I think Allegri has clear ideas as far as the team’s requirements are concerned.
“Us players also need to look to push our foot down on the accelerator. We want to turn things around and I’m sure we’ll show that in the next few games, but you also need to maintain your momentum beyond that, because it’s continuity that will make the difference.”
A win over Sevilla on Wednesday night would serve as an important confidence boost in Buffon’s eyes, although he insists any title talk should be banished for the next two to three months as Juventus knuckle down and seek to turn the tide in their favour.
“The Champions League gives us an excellent opportunity to rediscover our confidence and spark. We need to face Sevilla with ferocity, determination and a healthy desire to surprise.
“For the time being we must put all Scudetto talk on the back burner for a few months because we’re a long way off the top. We need to roll our sleeves up, get our hands dirty and focus on the present.
“We know the changes that need to be made for us to turn the corner and improve. We’ll solve the problems and take each game as it comes. We’ll look at the table in two or three months’ time.”
