Juve Fans Breathe Sigh of Relief as Buffon's 'Promise' Prior to Barca Clashes Is Ignored

Juve Fans Breathe Sigh of Relief as Buffon's 'Promise' Prior to Barca Clashes Is Ignored [ad_1]

​Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has revealed he promised to quit football if he kept two clean sheets against Barcelona in the Champions League.

With the Catalan club boasting forwards like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, Buffon was understandably sceptical of his chances of claiming two shut-outs but thanks to his side's impressive defensive performance, aided by top displays from Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, Juventus secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Luckily for Buffon, club president Andrea Agnelli didn't hold the Italy goalie to his word and the 39-year-old remains likely to retire after the 2018 World Cup.

“I had promised to quit football at the end of the season if I kept a clean sheet against Barcelona over two legs,” Buffon told Sky Sport Italia, as quoted by ​Football-Italia.

“I told the President (Andrea Agnelli) and he said at times in life we say stupid things, not to worry and move on. So I had to take the promise back. The President has more experience than me and gave me good advice.

Buffon continued:

“Keeping a clean sheet against the Spaniards was very satisfying, because it was earned and shared with the group, with the lads in defence and all the others who ran their socks off to ensure we came away unharmed from those two games.”

Juventus slipped up on Friday, drawing 2-2 with Atalanta, but Buffon says the result can stop the team becoming complacent.

“The 2-2 result isn’t setting off any alarm bells and if anything will do us good going forward," Buffon added. ''A victory might’ve made us feel we could do without those characteristics we need for tough games.

“If you don’t put in the effort that the match demands, that ferocity, determination and unity of intent, then you’ll struggle against anyone.”

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