Buffon ready to go again for Juve
Friday, January 23, 2009
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Goalkeeper Alexander Manninger is not aggrieved as he prepares to give up his Juventus first-team place to Bianconeri stalwart Gianluigi Buffon for tonight's Serie A game against ACF Fiorentina, saying: "Gigi is Gigi."
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Gianluigi Buffon is finally ready to reclaim his No1 spot when Juventus host ACF Fiorentina in Serie A tonight – and with his side only three points behind leaders FC Internazionale Milano, the goalkeeper has extra motivation, saying: "If they drop points, we will be able to take advantage."
Comeback delayed
After overcoming a right thigh injury which had ruled him out from early October, the Italian international played the first half of a friendly against AS Monaco FC before returning to competitive action in the 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Calcio Catania on 14 January. However, a bout of bronchitis then delayed his league comeback, with deputy Alexander Manninger continuing to perform ably as the Turin club rose to second in the table. "If he carries on like this, I might not get my place back," the absent Buffon admitted.
Able deputy
However, as good as Manninger has been, former Parma FC custodian Buffon remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and his recovery will leave Juventus even stronger. "When you are playing well and regularly, it is not easy to go back to the bench," Buffon said of his Austrian colleague. "I think he has been excellent and has played well in every game. I'm sure the club and the coach won't forget his contribution. Now I know that if I am not 100 per cent, I can rest without worrying about the team missing me. That is a good thing," added a player who turns 30 on 28 January.
Juve icon
Along with captain Alessandro Del Piero, midfielders Mauro Camoranesi and Pavel Nedvěd, and striker David Trezeguet, Buffon is part of the Juventus old guard who stood by La Vecchia Signora after the demotion to Serie B in summer 2006. Their experience has helped Juve roar back to the business end of Serie A, and qualify for the UEFA Champions League first knockout round where they will face coach Claudio Ranieri's old side Chelsea FC. "If it was any keeper other than Buffon, I would probably not expect to be back on the bench again," conceded Manninger. "But Gigi is Gigi. He has done so much for this club, both as a player and as a man. He always helps his team-mates when he can, so I won't complain."
