Gianluigi Buffon

[Socrates 7963]

Vialli Tells Buffon: Sign For Manchester City

Former Juventus great Gianluca Vialli has told Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon

to think about the mega-offer coming from Manchester City...

Iconic Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been heavily linked with a super deal to join cash-rich English Premier League side Manchester City - and he is currently a 5-1 favourite to sign for them in June.

Both his present club Juventus and the player's agent have denied the news and said Buffon is not for sale.

However, former Bianconeri great Gianluca Vialli, who has Premier League experience having played for and coached Chelsea, has told the goalkeeper to consider such an incredible deal, believed to be worth around ?15 million a year.

"Buffon 5-1 to join Manchester City? Well, I am not surprised by these offers," Vialli told Sky Sport Italia.

"The Arabs at the club have plenty of money and I think they want to build a very strong team.

"Buffon is a fundamental player but I think Juve will find it very hard to replace him if he leaves as there is no player on the market at his level who could come in and take his place.

"It could be an intelligent move and if I was Buffon I would certainly consider the deal because ?15 million is a lot of money."

The English side are likely to move and shake but they will find it difficult to strip the Italians of one of their most prized assets.

[Socrates 7963]

Buffon Returns To Training For Juventus

The iconic Juventus goalkeeper is back in training and, after fighting off injury,

he now has a battle with Alex Manninger for a first team place...

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has returned to training for the first time since being crocked against Cagliari back in September.

The Italian number one went down with a muscular strain but he has slowly worked his way back and his injury has healed following two months of treatment.

Buffon was given the all-clear to return to training this week and he was back on the Vinovo pitch on Thursday morning.

The shot-stopper took part in some light running exercises as he attempts to work on his fitness. It's great news for Juve who will be delighted their main man is on his way back even though Alex Manninger has been outstanding in goal.

Buffon may even need to fight for his place, such has been the brilliance of his replacement, whose only blip was the goal conceded against Inter.

Although the Italian is back in training, his full return to the Olimpico pitch is likely to be after the Christmas break.

David Trezeguet was also present and he too worked on running with a mixture of light and steady jogging.

The Frenchman will be keen on returning following a double knee operation.

He has made a speedy recovery and he could be back on the pitch before January.

[Socrates 7963]

Scudetto A Three Horse Race - Gianluigi Buffon

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is currently recovering from injury,

but gave his views on the Scudetto race on Monday...

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is continuing to recover from injury, but has been keeping hismelf busy with other events in the process. The Italian international was at a charity event in Siena and gave his views on the Serie A standings.

"If both Juventus and milan can stay close to Inter, it will be the best thing for the championship and at international level," explained the former Parma custodian, according to Datasport.

"The suitors for the Scudetto are separating themselves from the surprises that occurred at the beginning of the campaign."

Buffon's back-up between the posts, Alex Manninger, has been performing well in his absence and Buffon had both praise and a joke for his colleague.

"Manninger has been doing very well and is very reliable. However, surely if I was there we would have gained more points," he laughed.

The World Cup winner concluded by saying he expects to be back in the line-up sometime in January.

[Socrates 7963]

Juventus Are Better Without Buffon ? Mondonico

The veteran coach is not a big fan of Buffon as he believes that

the Bianconeri?s goalkeeper is more of a detriment than a help to his team.

Currently unemployed coach Emiliano Mondonico, known for his fierce rivalry with Juventus, blasted Gianluigi Buffon for being a problem to his own team.

Mondonico declared that the Bianconeri are much better without him as they have been more solid in defence in the past weeks.

?Juventus play better without Buffon, especially in defence,? commented the former Torino coach to Sportitalia.

?When there?s Buffon, he always ends up being the best player on the pitch, because the defenders feel calmer and more relaxed, and often they make mistakes.

?With Manninger this does not happen because there is more attention by the individual players and the Bianconeri?s defence gains from this.?

Buffon is currently recovering from an injury which has kept him out for most part of this early part of the season, but he will be back in January to guard the Old Lady?s goal.

[Socrates 7963]

Buffon Confirms Return Date For Juventus

The Bianconeri goalkeeper insists that he is recovering well,

and will make a return to the field soon.

Juventus have had a wonderful first half of the season to date, as they are in second place, six points off the pace set by Inter, with 33 points recorded after 17 rounds of football.

They have achieved the large part of these results without their number one goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, who has missed several months with a back injury; however the World Champion insists that his recovery is going well, and he will be back in action in the near future.

?My goal is to return to the squad as soon as possible to help strengthen the team in the race for the Scudetto,? Buffon declared in front of 300 supporters who were on hand to pay tribute to him, in his home city of Carrara.

?I am recovering well, and I am eagerly awaiting my return to the first team,? he added.

Speaking in front of the people, the keeper went on to confirm his return to the playing squad, which will be against Siena at the Olimpico in Turin on January 11, 2009.

The 30-year-old superstar had some final words of thanks for Carrara, by claiming that, ?I am proud to represent the city where I was born and raised, and it is an honour to be back here with you all right now.?

[Guest Luigi Daniele]

Gigione

Your replacement has been stupendous, but only you are you

[-- αѕтяσnomer - 9]

Please dont sell him to manchester city

He is a amazing goalkeeper the best in the world and a awesome character

be sure that we won't

[Socrates 7963]

The Best Teams Don't Always Win, Buffon Tells Inter

Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon, who's about to make his return on the pitch

after a shoulder injury, talked about the Scudetto race with Inter.

After spending a few months in the infirmary because of a shoulder injury, and seeing his team do very well in his absence, Juventus goalkeeper extraordinaire Gianluigi Buffon is just about ready to make his comeback.

The Italy number 1 can't wait to get back on the pitch and sent a message to current Serie A leaders and eternal rivals Inter.

"We have to acknowledge that at the moment Inter are superior to everyone," he said. "They deserve credit for the way they have managed to stay at the top over the last few years.

"But we are a fine team and not always does the best team win in football, or else Brazil would have 30 World Cups. We will try to surprise them."

According to Buffon, the period when the Champions League returns will be important: "Until then we must not lose further ground, or otherwise it will be very difficult. Let's hope they lose a few points along the way too."

Currently the Bianconeri are six points behind Inter in the standings. Their first match of the new year will be at home against Siena, while Inter host Cagliari.

[Socrates 7963]

The Goal.com 50: Gianluigi Buffon (17th)

Goal.com's countdown to the greatest player of 2008 continues with arguably the best goalkeeper in world football: Gianluigi Buffon. A troubled year for several reasons, but you can bet that Superman will come flying back to reclaim his throne in 2009?

SuperGigi Discovers His Kryptonite

Let?s just say that Gianluigi Buffon might have been somewhat relieved to wave goodbye to 2008. The year started off in the best possible way for the Juventus and Italy stalwart, but then took a turn for the worse.

The former Parma youth product ushered in the New Year by welcoming the arrival of his first-born son Louis Thomas, as his partner Alena Seredova gave birth to the baby boy on December 28, 2007.

But just a few weeks into 2008, Gigi had a taste of the unfortunate year that lay ahead for him: after the home game with Sampdoria, he pulled up with lumbago, which flared up relentlessly throughout the rest of the campaign.

He missed the crunch Coppa Italia quarter-final ties with Inter, which saw the Bianconeri crash out of the competition, and also the Serie A games with Livorno and Cagliari, returning to action at the Stadio Friuli in Udine on February 10.

From then on, it was a constant battle with pain, but he nonetheless managed to give an important contribution to the Bianconeri cause in their first season back in the top flight after the Calciopoli events.

Three matches stand out in particular, in which Buffon superbly helped Juve realise their dream of completing a swift return to the cream of European football.

He managed to keep a clean sheet in the 1-0 home win over Roma on February 16, brilliantly keeping out a rasping Daniele De Rossi free-kick from over 30 yards towards the end of the game to further dent the Giallorossi?s title ambitions.

And he was also the Old Lady?s saviour in the thrilling meeting with Milan in April, as Claudio Ranieri?s men triumphed 3-2. But the Rossoneri had taken a 2-1 lead at the Stadio Olimpico and could have scored more during the first half, were it not for marvellous saves from Buffon, who dealt with a Kak? volley from distance and a Gennaro Gattuso looping effort. And his heroics made the difference, as Hasan Salihamid?ic bagged a stunning brace to claim the Diavoli?s scalp.

But Gigi was even more decisive in the eagerly-anticipated showdown with arch-rivals Inter on March 23, when he frustrated the Nerazzurri's fearsome array of strikers, as Juventus condemned Roberto Mancini?s side to their only home defeat of the season.

Gigi Shuts Mutu Up

After featuring in the penultimate game against Catania, Buffon skipped the final chapter of the Serie A season to have more time to recharge his batteries ahead of Italy?s adventure at the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland.

But not even Superman could stop Holland cruising past the Azzurri in the opening encounter of the tournament, as the Oranje ran away 3-0 winners.

And the World Champions seemed on the cusp of a humiliating quick exit in the second game of the group stage, as Romania were awarded a penalty ten minutes from time with the score-line poised at 1-1.

But Buffon, who was also wearing the captain?s armband after Alessandro Del Piero had left the pitch, once again came to the rescue, admirably saving Adrian Mutu?s spot-kick to keep alive the Nazionale?s dreams of going through to the knock-outs.

Roberto Donadoni?s side then progressed at France?s expense, but Buffon?s unlucky record in penalty shoot-outs continued in the quarter-final clash with Spain, and there was no David Trezeguet to save the day for the Italians this time around?

His 2008 essentially ended at the Ernst Happel Stadium, as he suffered a lesion in his right thigh adductor muscle in the game with Palermo last October, and is expected to make his comeback to the starting XI after the Christmas break, when Siena will pay a visit to the Stadio Olimpico.

The lengthy recovery period has given him time to publish his autobiography ? Number 1 ? in which he revealed his brief battle with depression, while Premier League side Manchester City have continued to tempt him with a big-money offer which is likely to fall on deaf ears. After all, he did not jump ship after Juve were demoted to Serie B, so why should he do it now?

Austrian Alex Manninger has been outstanding between the posts during his absence and has managed to keep the Bianconeri within striking distance of leaders Inter, but he will now have to step down and hand the gloves back: Superman returns!

Team Prizes:

None

Individual Accolades:

None

[Socrates 7963]

Buffon To Start In Sold Out Juventus Friendly

The number one goalkeeper is ready to safeguard his side

from Monaco in Today's friendly match...

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is set to start against Monaco is this evening?s friendly game after a three month absence from the pitch.

The Italian international has fully recovered from the injury he sustained against Cagliari back in September and over 20,000 fans will flock to the Stadio San Filippo to see him play.

Tuttosport claims coach Claudio Ranieri is ready to allow Buffon at least 45 minutes of action as the team continues its preparations ahead of their game against Siena this weekend.

Juventus fever has gripped Messina and although the team may be short on players because of injury, support will be plenty. The stadium is expected to sell out by kick off at 18:00CET.

Christian Poulsen is expected to return following a long injury lay off as is Hasan Salihamidzic. The former Bayern Munich man has shaken off the flu and he will feature at some point.

Giorgio Chiellini will not play as a precaution after he suffered a muscular strain. Tiago and Mauro Camoranesi remain in Turin with David Trezeguet and Dario Knezevic.

The quartet have been left behind to continue their return to fitness. Here is the full list of players who have travelled to Sicily:

Buffon, Mellberg, Zanetti, Salihamidzic, Amauri, Iaquinta Del Piero, Nedved, Chimenti, Manninger, Poulsen, Marchisio, Giovinco, Grygera, Sissoko, Ekdal, Molinaro, De Ceglie, Marchionni, Legrottaglie, Esposito, Ariaudo, De Paola.

The flight down to Catania was delayed for 90 minutes due to serious weather conditions in Turin earlier today.

[Socrates 7963]

Buffon: I Had Nothing To Do!

Gianluigi Buffon returned after three months out,

but had little to do against Monaco in Tuesday's friendly...

Juventus may have lost on penalties against Monaco in Tuesday's friendly in Messina, but Bianconeri fans will be pleased to see Gianluigi Buffon return between the posts.

During his stint on the pitch, Buffon had very little to do, only picking the ball out of his net after Ivan Leko's first-half penalty. The Italian international did not have to deal with any other dangerous situations.

"Since I was out for a long time, I was using this friendly to regain my rhythm," he told reporters, according to Datasport. "I didn't have much to do, I hoped to make a few more saves, but it went well, I'm glad to continue my recovery."

Of course, people wanted to know if Buffon will play this weekend against Siena.

"We'll see, I'm doing much better. With the coach, we'll decide the best way forward for me and the team."

[trezeguet17 0]

Buffon selected for Juventus Coppa Italia clashThe recovery of Juventus and Azzurri keeper Gigi Buffon is complete with news today that Buffon has been selected for tomorrow's Coppa Italia clash.

Buffon has been listed in the squad for the clash against Catania although it is unknown if he will be starting or on the bench for the clash.

Out of action since September, Buffon's return is a major boost for Juventus as the club gears up for a tilt at the Serie A and Champions League in the next five months.

[Guest Luigi Daniele]

Gigi is our "winter signing"---and, therefore, no other team had as good a winter mercato as Juve

[ale_87 0]

tonight he will play I'm very happy abuot it

[trezeguet17 0]

Juventus smiles with Buffon comeback

Gigi Buffon returned between the sticks for the first time in 4 months in last night's easy Juventus win over Catania.

The Coppa Italia fixture was Buffon's first since a muscle injury back in late September forced him onto the sidelines.

Buffon's return is a major boost for Juventus in the lead-up to an incredibly busy second half of the season.

[Socrates 7963]

Buffon: Juventus Can Beat Chelsea

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will not underestimated the challenge

that Chelsea will pose the Italian giants despite all the English side's ongoing problems.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has warned his team-mates not to be fooled by Chelsea's recent troubles ahead of their last 16 Champions League showdown next month.

The Italian international has recently returned from his injury woes and was in good form against Catania during the midweek clash in the Coppa Italia. Lazio are up next in Serie A, but Buffon already has his mind on Chelsea.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's men have been less than perfect on several occasions this season, leading to belief that they will be easier to beat as the season goes on.

However, Buffon is refusing to accept this notion and he is not taking the Blues for granted.

"I don't really trust them even though they are having some difficulties," Buffon told La giornalaccio rosa Dello Sport.

"It's true that this Chelsea are more approachable compared to any of the previous teams over the last five years.

"However, it will be hard for us. In any case, we will be playing to win, even at Stamford Bridge."

The Bianconeri have high hopes in Europe this term and coach Claudio Ranieri will be hoping to get one over the team that sacked him in 2004.

[trezeguet17 0]

Juventus keeper Buffon ready for Lazio challenge

Gigi Buffon is primed and ready for the weekend fixture against Lazio in his return to Serie A action after four months.

Buffon's return in the midweek Coppa Italia win over Catania was a good test for the World Cup winning goalkeeper and he goes into the weekend clash hopeful of keeping a cleansheet and continuing the fine defensive record of this season with Alex Manninger in goals.

Buffon told Sky TV: "I believe that Manninger has been very good in the games he has played, and this is something that will remain in the minds of club directors, staff and the fans.

"We all know that we can trust Alex in this role. And I know, in case of an emergency, that I can take some extra time to recover."

[Socrates 7963]

Buffon's Agent Opens Door To Manchester City

Buffon could be the next to follow Kaka to Manchester City,

as his agent is prepared to listen to offers...

Gianluigi Buffon's agent Silvano Martina has admitted that both the goalkeeper and Juventus will consider a mega offer from Manchester City if it arrives.

The shot-stopper has been linked with a ?75 million offer from City, which this week increased to ?100m according to reports in both Italy and England.

Sportmediaset claims that the cash-rich Arab-owned club are ready to transfer a mega amount of cash into Juventus' bank account in return for Buffon.

Although the agent has always rubbished reports in the past, he has now revealed that he will be all ears if City come knocking.

Perhaps the rapid progression with Kaka's possible deal from Milan to Eastlands has triggered the possibility of Buffon following suit.

"If such a big offer arrived, then we would have to sit down with the club and consider it," Martina told Sportmediaset.

"However, I have not been contacted by anyone and neither have Juventus."

It is believed that Buffon will be offered a ?12m per year deal if he joins the Manchester-based club.

A move is unlikely, though, as Juve consider the Italian to be an integral part of the their plans for the future as they continue to build.

On the other hand, the Old Lady could put the cash towards their new stadium, which is currently being built. The costs of the new venue are equal to what City are reportedly offering.

[Guest Luigi Daniele]

Then screw Gigi's agent

[Socrates 7963]

Agent: Kirev Is The New Buffon

The player's agent has spoken, and his suggestions confirm that Juventus have signed the young custodian...

Mario Kirev's agent Giacomo Petralito believes the Slavia Sofia goalkeeper is the new Gianluigi Buffon as reports in Italy claim Juventus have snapped up the 19-year-old.

Tuttosport earlier claimed that Juve have already secured the services of the Bulgarian international, and that the only thing missing is the Italian giants announcing the deal as official.

The player's agent believes his client is the new Buffon as he heaps high praise on the stopper.

"Kirev the new Buffon? I think he will be. He was already a first choice for Sofia when he was 19 and he has been the captain of his national side too," Petralito told Calciomercato.it.

"A lot of teams have asked about him and he have had contacts with Manchester City, Getafe and Hamburg.

"However, as soon as Juventus took a look then eventual talk happened.

"Juventus had already decided and the player underwent a medical. We have to wait for it to be announced officially."

It is believed the Bianconeri will send Kirev out on loan to gain experience and Swiss side Grasshoppers seem like his next destination.

[trezeguet17 0]

Gianluigi Buffon happy birthday :Auguri:

[Socrates 7963]

Birthday Boy Buffon Wants To Receive Mail From Obama

It seems that Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon would like to speak to the new President of the USA, Barack Obama.

Buffon turned 31-years-old today, and he may be able to celebrate it in style tonight with a win against Udinese.

High flying Juventus are confident regarding their chances against strugglers Udinese at the Friuli Stadium. Juve have won six of their last seven league games and they face a side which has not tasted victory in the league since October 29.

The Turin Bianconeri face the Udine Bianconeri in a battle that would have been an incredibly anticipated match earlier in the season, but with the serious decline of form that Antonio Di Natale's side have suffered, Juve seem odds on favourites to take the points away from home.

The Bianconeri were recently boosted by the return from injury of goalkeeping sensation Buffon. The Juve keeper is back to full fitness after being out for three months with a muscle tear in his right leg.

Buffon launched his new official website today, and used the occasion to outline one of his birthday wishes to Sky Sport 24.

?Perhaps I am not being very humble when I say that I would like to receive a mail from Obama. He wish would say: Hi Buffon, you are my favourite goalkeeper in the world. This would please me, so that I could begin a dialogue and friendship with him,? said a smiling Buffon.

* Happy Birthday, Gigi! *

[trezeguet17 0]

Buffon: Juventus fans can trust me

Gigi Buffon has assured Juventus fans he won't skip out on them without notice.

Buffon has been linked with Manchester City, but the goalkeeper said: "Absolutely not. With the Juve fans I have a great relationship and I think I can say, without presumption, that a person like me can be trusted.

"With me, there's hardly ever bad surprises in the sense that a person is always very clear, very clear that certainly surprises do not appear."

[trezeguet17 0]

Juventus keeper Buffon insists no offer on table

Gigi Buffon has again assured Juventus he has no offer on the table to leave in the summer.

The goalkeeper said: "Staying (in Serie B) was good for me, I have no regrets and I am certain that my self-esteem has grown as a person.

"Now there are the conditions to go forward, but if there were any sales, things may change at Juventus.

"It's all right for those who are still young, but Juve should think about the future. I repeat, at this moment there is no offer and there is no assumption that I may go away."

[Socrates 7963]

Buffon: Everyone Is To Blame For Juventus? Poor Form

The shot-stopper is not happy with Juve?s form at present...

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes everyone needs to raise the level of their game in order to stop the rot, which is currently nibbling away at the Bianconeri?s Scudetto chances.

Juve are training at Vinovo today with a cloud hanging over them after the woeful performance against Cagliari on Saturday. Tomorrow evening, the Turin-based outfit have a shot at partial redemption as they host Napoli in the Coppa Italia, and the Italian No. 1 believes that this could prove a watershed match.

Buffon feels that some players, including himself, are not doing enough to fight for the cause, and he is demanding for more effort on the pitch.

"Everyone has to pull their finger out and give more," Buffon told Tuttosport.

"I won't start crying just because Milan have taken over us in Serie A.

"We are being made to pay for chasing really hard. We still believe we can win the Scudetto; that we owe to everyone."

Juve are now seven points behind league leaders and bitter rivals Inter, and one point behind Milan, who leapfrogged the Old Lady at the weekend. Any more slip-ups could begin to prove fatal for the Bianconeri.