Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon discusses his teammates, calling Andrea Pirlo a ‘genius’ and hailing Leonardo Bonucci’s progression.
The Bianconeri are on the brink of a treble, and will compete for the final trophy of the season, the Champions League, against Barcelona on Saturday.
“Leonardo Bonucci is the player who's matured the most this year compared with the rest of the squad,” Buffon told UEFA’s official website, in a feature analysing his teammates.
Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon discusses his teammates, calling Andrea Pirlo a ‘genius’ and hailing Leonardo Bonucci’s progression.
The Bianconeri are on the brink of a treble, and will compete for the final trophy of the season, the Champions League, against Barcelona on Saturday.
“Leonardo Bonucci is the player who's matured the most this year compared with the rest of the squad,” Buffon told UEFA’s official website, in a feature analysing his teammates.
“He's made an impressive jump in terms of his maturity. Now I really consider him on the same level as [Andrea] Barzagli and Giorgio [Chiellini]. He's the best that you can have in defence.
“Claudio Marchisio, alongside Bonucci, is a player who's had an amazing year in terms of his character. He's a player who I believe is now perfectly aware of his own value. He's a very intelligent player both tactically and technically.
“He's very good at winning back possession in midfield. He always does a good job and is very versatile.
"Alvaro Morata has been the biggest surprise and now that I know him, I can say that if matures in the right way and if he wants to put his professionalism to the benefit of the team and the profession, he can be the star of the next few years.”
The goalkeeper also gave his thoughts on two midfielders at opposite points of their career – 22-year-old Paul Pogba, and veteran Pirlo.
“Pogba is an incredible talent. He can and will be able to achieve whatever he wants in life, in footballing terms. It just depends on him and his desire.
“Pirlo is one of the few footballing geniuses.
“And Buffon? That guy is an expert!”