Juventus” data-scaytid=”1″>Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has underlined that spending big is not a guarantee for success on the field of play.
Speaking to AS ahead of this week’s Champions League game at Real Madrid – who spent €100m on Gareth Bale this summer – the veteran said there are many elements to lifting silverware.
Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has underlined that spending big is not a guarantee for success on the field of play.
Speaking to AS ahead of this week’s Champions League game at Real Madrid – who spent €100m on Gareth Bale this summer – the veteran said there are many elements to lifting silverware.
“Spending and having lots of money does not mean that by force you can win,” the 35-year-old commented.
“Therefore, projects are needed, patience, work, balance. Of course, having so much money is a good base in which to start, but that alone is not enough.”
He added: “In the last seven or eight years, Barcelona have surpassed all European clubs in terms of popularity and prestige.
“That is because, ultimately, the real difference and value in a club is shown in winning and Barcelona in recent years have won much.
“It is the same as with the legend of Madrid, from the 1950s when they won many European Cups.”
Buffon was also asked to comment on the Iker Casillas situation at Real, the Spanish international ‘keeper who is struggling for games.
“I can say that it is very unusual to see a goalkeeper like Casillas on the bench,” the Italian noted. “I do not know what happened last year or this year. I have just seen the line-ups.
“But I think that last year it was not just a technical issue, but relating to other things. I think it was a relationship problem.
“I really admire Iker. For me, during the moment that I still feel a strong goalkeeper and among the best, it would be hard to accept certain situations. However, he has this merit and I respect that more.
“But in the midst of this discourse we must also have respect for Diego Lopez, who in the end, apart from what he is doing this year, has always been an excellent goalkeeper.
“Iker has always proven to be a great champion and I think that great champions come out of these negative situations by nature.”