Juventus captain Gigi Buffon joked that Bayern Munich will act “as if Pep Guardiola will be on their bench for life!”
The first leg in the Champions League Round of 16 kicks off on Tuesday at 19.45 GMT.
Has the fact Guardiola has already announced he’ll take over at Manchester City next season affected the Germans?
“If Bayern were an Italian club, I might tell you this would have a negative influence on the team and the rest of their season.
Juventus captain Gigi Buffon joked that Bayern Munich will act “as if Pep Guardiola will be on their bench for life!”
The first leg in the Champions League Round of 16 kicks off on Tuesday at 19.45 GMT.
Has the fact Guardiola has already announced he’ll take over at Manchester City next season affected the Germans?
“If Bayern were an Italian club, I might tell you this would have a negative influence on the team and the rest of their season.
“As this situation was already seen a few years ago when Jupp Heynckes was going to leave and they literally swept us aside, let’s just pretend Guardiola will be on their bench for life!”
Juventus were in the Champions League Final last year, losing 3-1 to Barcelona, so what has changed since then?
“The players have changed and there is more energy, but less experience, as the lads who came in are younger and fresher.
“I think the Coach gave us and them the certainty we needed after a stuttering start. I think this team has great potential to build an important future. I am convinced of that.”
Among the experienced figures who have left Juve we can find Arturo Vidal, who will be back in Turin as an opponent tomorrow.
“Arturo Vidal was a key figure in our squad for four years and helped us to some great success.
“Kingsley Coman is a very polite young man and he settled in well during his time here.
“They will be opponents on the field, but clearly the moment the final whistle is blown we’ll be friends the same as always.”