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February 24 Gianluigi Buffon, February 24th 2006For me, the Champions League season against Werder Bremen kicked off on a bitter-sweet note. Sweet, in the sense that I have proven, even to detractors, that I was in good form; also, that I have regained my normal level of performance. Predictably, the German team’s forwards went on the offensive, and I think I have handled all the situations in which I have been caught up. But when you’re in the thick of it, and you find yourself in a three-goal passive, it’s hard to feel happy or satisfied. That’s why I feel ill-at-ease. At the end of the game we thought we had won, subconsciously allowing that to carry us along, and Werder made us pay the price. Whatever the case, all the necessary criteria are in place for turning the outcome around during the next encounter, we just need to make sure we have our wits about us this time.
As for me, as I said, I’m proud of the way I performed. To be honest, since my comeback, I don’t feel I’ve fared too badly, which is also thanks to my team mates who have shielded my goal effectively. Nevertheless, for some unfathomable reason, certain “rumours” was still going round, and aspersions being cast on my private life, which have really got to me. My home-life with Alena was of more interest than my performance on the field. I hope that following the disputed heat in Germany, I’ve shown once and for all that Buffon is still the same Buffon, and that criticism will be directed at my performance on the pitch, and not at my life outside the game.
Now that we’re coming to a crunch point in the season, what I need is to be able to focus as much as possible. We still have a good position in the championship, with a clear advantage as regards the other contenders, but the Champions League is a trophy we need to win, and we will fight tooth and nail to get our hands on it. Therefore we are going to channel all our energy into winning the Cup. We are aware that from this point onwards, whoever slips up will count the cost. We slipped up in Germany, and we paid the price there and then. But we won’t be making the same mistake twice; once bitten, twice shy. February 22 Gianluigi Buffon, February 20th 2006First of all I would like to wish Francesco Totti the very best of luck. On Sunday he picked up a bad injury during the championship away game to Empoli. I know what he’s going through: you suddenly feel like you’re on your own, powerless, at the mercy of fate. But once the anger and disappointment have subsided, you seek solace in your loved ones and you start to come round, imagining the moment you get back onto the pitch. Francesco is a fighter, he’s got a lot of charisma and with his willpower, I’m sure he’ll be back in time for the World Cup. Italy needs him, and we’re awaiting his return. I could tell him the following to encourage him to see the situation in a different light: some experiences help us develop, make us stronger, and once you pick up where you left off, you feel stronger than before. That’s how it was for me, and it will be the same for Totti.
Secondly, I would like to share some of my sporting passions with you. As a child, before I decided to become a goalkeeper, my idol was Lothar Matthaeus, midfielder with Inter and the German national team: I liked how he played, as well as the fact that he shattered people’s preconceptions. As far as teams were concerned, I was a fan of Galeone’s Pescara, an unpredictable formation, different from the rest, although perhaps somewhat lacking in perseverance, but capable of feats which were regarded as being of the utmost difficulty.
What about goalkeepers? Well, in the meantime I became a goalkeeper for all intents and purposes at the age of 12, straight after the 1990 World Cup which as staged in Italy. My idol was none other than the Cameroon number 1, Thomas N’Kono. An intrepid, showy, impressive goalkeeper, but at the same time an effective one: just when it looked as if he wouldn’t be able to stop the ball, he sprang with cat-like agility and caught it. His technique was regarded as somewhat rough around the edges, but what great reflexes and instinct! It was down to him that I became so captivated with the role. I’ve never looked back since. The job for him called for a small dose of “madness”, which was what I admired in my idols when I was a boy. February 16 Gianluigi Buffon, February 16th 2006Hello, friends! I know that what I wrote in my last article about how I spend my free time aroused some interest in you, so I have decided to tell you a bit more about me and my life off the field. Well, one of my of my great passions is the computer – I spend really quite a lot of time in front of the screen, surfing the net. I mostly visit sites to do with sport, and not only those dedicated to football. I like track and field athletics a lot, as my parents practised it at a high level and therefore an interest in it has been passed to me, even though I discovered when I was as young as six that my great passion was football. My mum and dad were shotput champions, while my sisters are great volleyball players and when they come to see me (which is often), we talk about our similar experiences playing sport.
Another of my passions, I must confess, is cooking – good cooking. Obviously I don't want to overdo the eating too much, but a nice plate of risotto with Parmesan, or a ragout with penne pasta, which are my favourite dishes - I won't give them up easily! In general, though, I prefer starters, and in this sense my experience at Parma had an influence on me.
I also enjoy reading newspapers and a few novels, but above all I try to spend all the time I can with my girlfriend, Alena. What are we doing for Valentine's Day? A candlelit dinner, of course. Where, though, I can't tell you... February 14 Gianluigi Buffon, February 14th 2006The midweek championship meet has to some degree taken what has been thought of as the match of the year, between Inter and Juventus, from under the spotlight. The game will be held on Sunday evening at Milan’s “Meazza” stadium. This is the match of the year because everyone sees it as critical to winning the league title, since according to the pundits, a single win by Inter could reopen the title fight. Naturally, I'm hoping for a win for Juventus, although we should not assume that the opposition is no longer capable of moving up in the ranking. Nevertheless, it would be a huge blow to the championship table.
While we await the outcome on the field, I can talk about how I prepare for these meets which can decide the season. Above all, I treat the match as if it were a final. It is important to focus one’s mind on the event itself, and not the possible outcome. To look on the competition as though it were the final: this naturally causes heightened tensions, although by this I mean positive tension, which can and must be converted into positive energy, adding to the competition.
That’s the case as far as training is concerned. As for everything else, I spend the day listening to music and watching films on TV. That is what I do to relax, particularly having been with Juventus all these years, during both international and national Cups. I’ve learnt how to handle the stress of the competition. Also, the great thing about playing as part of a prominent team is the chance to play in so many crucial matches. The one on Sunday evening against Inter is one of those matches which any player would love to be part of, because of the adrenaline and sense purpose it brings to a whole week’s work. With a packed stadium, the league title up for grabs, the clash of so many champions, I can’t wait to get out onto the pitch. February 07 Gianluigi Buffon, February 7th 2006The quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia saw Inter, Udinese, Palermo and Roma go through to the semi-finals. As far as teams leading the field in the championship are concerned, apart from us, Juventus, Milan and Fiorentina have been knocked out. This shows that in football, as well as the team’s physical condition and its technical values, motivation makes a huge difference. Naturally, that is not to say that Juventus was not striving for the Coppa Italia, since our club (and therefore team) has always set its sights as high as possible, always aiming to come out on top in each competition. In fact, having lost at home against Roma, we managed to secure a win on the difficult ground of the Stadio Olimpico, driving home the message that Juventus is never defeated. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough, although we fought to the last.
However, it is sometimes the case that formations, for one reason or another, do not manage to achieve their potential in a championship, focusing on international Cups or on the national Cup. Udinese, Palermo, to some extent Inter and even Roma are clear examples: they are excellent teams which have encountered problems along the way, problems which they managed to overcome in the Coppa Italia, with swift actions.
There’s a good fight in store, since all four are confident and determined to come out on top. In addition, all four are still trying to win the Champions or UEFA Cup, therefore the final winners will to a large extent depend on the general conditions at the time. On paper only Inter and Roma appear to have a better chance of beating their opponents, and could play each other in the final, but let’s not play down the “longing” of Udinese and Palermo. The field is still open, which is testament to the fact that in Italy, rivalry reigns supreme, and it is here that forecasts may be turned on their heads. This is why Juventus allows no gaps in its defence in the championship, and does not let its guard down: the season is still far from over. February 02 Gianluigi Buffon, February 2th 2006On Sunday night, following the victory against Ascoli, I was asked for the umpteenth time about my return to field, to which I replied with a note of irony: “actually I’ve been back a while, not that anyone’s noticed…”
I think that this was my little way of emphasising the strength of Juventus’ defence, which meant that yours truly, the goalkeeper, was of little consequence. Of course, I didn’t mean any disrespect to the opposition. Indeed, I should congratulate them, since despite the first three goals, they bounced back, fighting with determination to the last.
On the other hand, having had to stop few goals is obviously partly an advantage, although it does entail a greater level of focus, since a moment’s distraction could prove disastrous. Sometimes it is better to be in the firing line in order to maintain the tension. That’s the way I prefer it, anyway. I know that my job is to be on the ball and be there whenever I’m needed. It is reassuring to be behind a strong defence, it helps keep my attention level high, because all my team-mates are focused, from start to finish.
Regarding the defenders, I would like to welcome Mark Iuliano back to Italy. I have played alongside him on numerous occasions, both with Juventus and as part of the national team. He left Majorca, Spain, where he had been transferred last year, for Sampdoria, where I think he will be in his element. A player like Iuliano still has a lot to offer Italian football. We might get to say hello on 4th March, during the match between Sampdoria and Juventus. He is a defender but also a good striker: long may he continue, just not against us… |
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