Buffon: Juventus' Serie A title challenge won't be derailed, Inter and AC Milan have Champions League chances
Former Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is confident that the club can challenge for the Serie A title this season, whilst he is optimistic about the chances of Inter and AC Milan in the Champions League.
In an interview with Italian television broadcaster DAZN's 'Supertele' show, and as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Buffon cast his eye on the situation at Juventus this term as they look to recover from a tumultuous campaign last season.
Massimiliano Allegri's side were docked 10 points and banned from European competition for a year after being found guilty of breaches of club licensing and Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules,
The Old Lady have also seen star midfielder Paul Pogba hit with a suspension after a positive doping test, whilst former defender Leonardo Bonucci lashed out at his treatment by the club following a move to Union Berlin.
Juventus unaffected by controversies
Despite the off-field issues, Juventus have made a strong start to the current campaign and collected 10 points from 12, prompting Buffon to tip them as title contenders.
"Juve are going through a period in which every week there is new drama, so it is impossible to get bored!" the former Italy Men's National Team captain stated.
"The best medicine in such situations are performances and victories like (the 3-1 win) against Lazio because they bring confidence and dismiss controversies.
"Juve could have competed for the Scudetto last year, but because of the dramas they faced, they were never in the running. Now they have the same team and I see few rivals. Inter are perhaps more complete, but they have Champions League commitments that will weigh heavily, whilst Allegri can prepare with one match a week.
"What can I say about Pogba and Bonucci? It's a pity what happened to both of them because I know them and I knew Juve well, seeing that now apart from the coach and a couple of figures everything has been turned upside down. Not knowing the people who now lead the club, however, I don't want to pass judgement."
Buffon hopeful for Inter and AC Milan
Buffon, who retired this summer after two seasons with Parma, then turned his attention to Inter and Milan, arguing that the strength of competition in the Champions League could give the two rivals hope of progressing to the latter stages.
"With so many top players going to the Saudi Arabian league, European football has become more balanced. Inter and AC Milan beat anyone on their day, even Manchester City and Real Madrid. They have a wonderful chance of lifting the Champions League."
Milan not disheartened after derby humiliation
Milan recovered from a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Inter in the Derby della Madonnina in Serie A Matchday 4 to draw against Newcastle United in the Champions League, and Buffon did not feel there was such a gulf in class between the two Milanese clubs.
"Milan came into the derby with three consecutive victories and in my opinion they did well not to lose sight of themselves, to play the match with their style.
"Inter deserved the victory, which in the end was clear and overwhelming, but the direction of the match was decided by small details, all in favour of the Nerazzurri. There is not such an enormous gap between the two teams as the 5-1 scoreline would suggest," he concluded.
Buffon joined Juventus from Parma in 2001 and made 685 appearances across two spells for the Bianconeri, lifting the Serie A title 10 times in addition to five Coppa Italia triumphs and the Serie B title.