German legend Franz Beckenbauer has retracted on his remarks on Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon, praising the recently under fire keeper.
Beckenbauer maintains he was incorrect to label Buffon as a “pensioner”. Der Kaiser criticised the Italy number one for his poor showing in the Champions League first leg defeat against Bayern Munich.
“I retract my words,” Beckenbauer claimed after his former side triumphed in last night’s second leg tie in Turin.
“When you are live on television then you can say foolish things. But I was just referring to the two goals that he conceded in Munich, especially the first, and not his career.
“I tried to be ironic, saying that Alaba shot from 120 metres away, but the joke was not understood. Unfortunately you can’t cancel out words spoken on television.
“Buffon is no longer a kid, but he remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”
Buffon has however played down the incident, as he jokingly remarked: “My father was harsher.”
