Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has revealed that he’s looking forward to facing Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and feels that the clash with the German side will be a great test for the Old Lady.
The 36-year-old has admitted that he was hoping the Bianconeri would draw the BVB for the round of 16, but insists that his wishes were solely based on Die Borussen’s ability to teach Juve a lesson in Europe and had nothing to do with their current poor form in the Bundesliga, as they currently sit on the verge of relegation in 16th place on the league table.
Buffon spoke to Sky Sport Italia following the Champions League round of 16 draw on Monday about the challenge that Borussia Dortmund could present to Juventus and commented on the talent possessed by striker Ciro Immobile.
“I’m happy in the sense that they were one of the teams that we were hoping to meet at this stage,” said the veteran goalkeeper, who will lead Juve against Jurgen Klopp’s men in Turin on February 24 and then in Germany on March 18.
“Not because they’re a team which is inferior to others, but because they can be a test to help us understand how far we can go and where we can improve.
“It will be a beautiful and exciting test. We’ll be playing them in a fantastic stadium and in order to get to Berlin for the final we’ll have to go through Dortmund first, as has happened in the past.
“In the Champions League teams are transformed and sometimes perform a lot better than in their domestic leagues, probably because of the extra stimulus this competition gives us as players.
“Ciro Immobile had given us trouble during his time at Torino and he can do the same against us with Borussia Dortmund.
“The draw could have been better, but it could have also been much worse.”
