17 March 2015
Gigi Buffon says he is looking forward to returning to a stadium which holds magical memories for him as a player.
The Juventus captain helped the Azzurri beat hosts Germany 2-0 in a dramatic 2006 World Cup semi-final and is no stranger to the intimidating Westfalenstadion atmosphere that lies in store for the Bianconeri tomorrow night in Dortmund.
However, he believes the cauldron of noise could also bring out the best in the reigning champions of Italy, particularly given the number of big-game players Massimiliano Allegri can count on.
Speaking to the media in Germany, Buffon said: “It’s always a pleasure to come back here. I’ve had some happy times at this stadium both with club and country.
“The fans here are fervent throughout the entire game. It’s something that’s felt by the hosts and can be an added boost, but it could also give the visitors added motivation, especially if they can count on seasoned players who have already experienced such atmospheres.”
