Gigi Buffon asked Dani Alves to “help us achieve the dream we’re still chasing” at Juventus, but didn’t say goodbye to Paul Pogba.
“We’re coming off five wonderful seasons where the club proved it won’t rest on its laurels and that is the sign to the fans and us players too that there’s much still to be done,” Buffon told Sky Sport Italia.
Gigi Buffon asked Dani Alves to “help us achieve the dream we’re still chasing” at Juventus, but didn’t say goodbye to Paul Pogba.
“We’re coming off five wonderful seasons where the club proved it won’t rest on its laurels and that is the sign to the fans and us players too that there’s much still to be done,” Buffon told Sky Sport Italia.
“I think the experience of last season will help us not make the same mistakes of feeling superior. I think at the end of the day it’ll be very important to find the right balance and for everyone to get to know each other, because on paper the team is different to on the pitch. It’s on the pitch we have to prove that everything said about us is true.”
Juve are clearly targeting the Champions League this season with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Miralem Pjanic and Marko Pjaca.
“I asked Dani Alves to help us, above all us older members of the team, to achieve the dream we are still chasing and help us push the bar a little higher.
“He is rather accustomed to certain targets and victories, so I think in that sense his experience can really help us. What I liked in these first few weeks is seeing how eager the new buys are to work hard. You can tell they have the mentality of top clubs and are, albeit prudent, confident enough in themselves to think big.”
Some have also left the club, above all Alvaro Morata and Pogba, but Buffon revealed they had different ways of saying goodbye.
“I spoke to Morata and we exchanged messages, but also via Simone Zaza, seeing as they talk often. He sent us a message, he was really very polite and it was a real pleasure seeing him grow up to become a champion over the last two years.
“For Paul clearly it’s easier to follow him on social media, so we know what he’s up to. I think at the end of the day he’s an extraordinary lad, an extraordinary champion and someone seeking an extraordinary career.
“At times, these careers go through an inevitable change of club. I wish both of them all the best, because they really helped us out over the last few years.”
Who does Buffon feel will compete with Juventus for the Serie A title?
“Before the season starts it’s very difficult to give an accurate prediction. I certainly think Inter are a team who already last year had a squad of 15-16 players to compete with us, Napoli and Roma. In my view, this year they have improved further.
“Roma are making the most of Luciano Spalletti’s great work and I think will start with more belief and consistency. Napoli have clearly lost Gonzalo, but at times that can help get the best out of other players, so they’ll give more to prove they weren’t dependent on Higuain.”