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Champions League: Gianluigi Buffon plays down Celtic fan power

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments337

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has played down the advantage Celtic fans might give their team when the Scots host the Italians on Tuesday.

Celtic and Juve meet in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

"I have played here two or three times with Parma and Juventus, although the last time, 10 years ago, I was on the bench," said the 35-year-old Italian.

"The atmosphere is very British in many ways but, as far as I can remember, no fan has ever scored a goal."

The fans at Celtic Park created a raucous backdrop when Neil Lennon's side beat Barcelona in the Champions League group stage.

And a sell-out 60,000 crowd should generate a terrific din for the visit of the Serie A leaders to Glasgow's east end.

"Certainly the crowd can help Celtic but only to a certain point," added Buffon.

"The opponents can't get carried away with this and must focus on their own game.

"The most hostile atmospheres I have ever played in, I would probably have to say is Turkey, at Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.

"Of course, here, at both Celtic and Rangers, they have stadiums that when full have an excellent atmosphere, we already know this and we respect this very much."

Buffon was in goal for Parma against Rangers in a Uefa Cup match at Ibrox in 1998, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and again in a Champions League qualifier the following year when Rangers won 2-0.

However, he was a substitute for Juventus in October 2001, when Celtic beat the Italians 4-3 at Parkhead in a dramatic Champions League qualifier.

Juventus manager Antonio Conte believes his team will have to be on their guard.

"If anyone has underestimated Celtic, it has certainly not been us. We have great respect for them," he said.

"We have followed Celtic very closely.

"They are a very good team. We will have to be very careful tonight."

Conte cited Celtic's defeat of Barcelona at Celtic Park and their narrow defeat by the Catalans in the Nou Camp as proof that Juventus would have to be on their toes for the first-leg tie.

And his comments mirror those of on-loan Juventus striker Nicolas Anelka.

Juventus striker Nicolas Anelka arrives in Glasgow
Anelka said on joining Juventus from Shanghai Shenhua: "It's nice to get back to a big club."

The Frenchman, who joined the Italians from China's Shanghai Shenhua, insists Neil Lennon's side will be a dangerous proposition.

"What Celtic have going for them is no pressure," he said.

"It will be a tough game in Glasgow. It is one of the most famous and intense football cities in the world."

Conte's Juventus beat Fiorentina 2-0 at the weekend to open up a five-point lead in Serie A and arrive in Glasgow in confident mood.

Juventus sporting director Pavel Nedved believes the Italians will be stepping into "a lion's den".

"I'm fully aware of the atmosphere that awaits us in Glasgow because I've been there and experienced it first hand," said Nedved.

"We'll be stepping into a lion's den and I don't think the team will need firing up. We'll have to tough it out."

Juventus have been training at Rangers' Murray Park complex.

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337 comments

  • Comment posted by normanneil01, at 14:20 12 Feb 2013

    Post match interview with Messi after Celtic beat Barca, he was asked how he felt losing to Celtic when they had such little possession and his responce was "Well thank God they didn't have more of the ball."

    Nobody's pretending Celtic are anywhere near the level of Europe's elite but they are by no means a poor side, And on their day CAN compete with anybody.

    Best of luck to the team and fans!

  • Comment posted by JerusalemSlim, at 17:25 11 Feb 2013

    Been a Rangers supporter since I was a wee boy, and I've never gotten involved in all the bitterness and bigotry. I obviously don't want Celtic to succeed when it's at Rangers' expense, but in this instance I'd be happy for Celtic to progress. They're the only Scottish team left in Europe, and I'll back them for as long as they're left in the competition.

  • Comment posted by U14277094, at 22:29 11 Feb 2013

    "Juventus are a class apart and have been in Italy last year and this"

    An here's me thinkin' they were from Madagascar ?!

  • Comment posted by U14277873, at 18:19 12 Feb 2013

    Did fiorentina supporters, in 2008, buy Rangers tops and wear them proudly when visiting Glasgow ?

  • Comment posted by U14097593, at 22:14 12 Feb 2013

    OWNED

    CLOWNSHOES

  • Comment posted by U14097593, at 22:42 11 Feb 2013

    Second hand patter should be flattering, but its not.

    You will never be a padawan.

  • Comment posted by U14277873, at 15:16 11 Feb 2013

    Set pieces and pot shots from 20 yards from both sides. Pirlo and Muggers 1-1 first leg. Second leg, haven't a scoob ?

    After my East Fife 5, Forfar 4 bet crashed at the weekend, I wouldn't put money on either leg.

  • Comment posted by U15615205, at 21:00 13 Feb 2013

    I have watched Celtic players past and present con refs into giving free kicks in and around the box at parkhead, lets name the biggest offenders, Nakamura, Sutton, Petrov, Hartson to name a few, still can't believe juventus first goal had to be scored twice before it was given, agreed the officials were biased lol the ball only just crossed line haha

  • Comment posted by U15594356, at 10:30 13 Feb 2013

    Ah we will do them in Turin !!

  • Comment posted by meercatboldy, at 07:25 13 Feb 2013

    On the plus side at least Celtic are guaranteed another go next season, and the season after that and probably the season after that, so it's not all bad.

  • Comment posted by U14097593, at 23:38 12 Feb 2013

    Bedtime little 'un

    See when the lights get switched off, be safe in the knowledge, somebody else controlled the switch.

    MUG

  • Comment posted by U15613971, at 23:12 12 Feb 2013

    Things can't be going to well at Juventus if they have to resort to buying a clapped out old footballer like Anelka.

  • Comment posted by U14097593, at 23:10 12 Feb 2013

    http://chipesajian.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/12-week-old-puppy-Cooper-the-mirror-6.jpg

    Seek help

  • Comment posted by U12525194, at 23:05 12 Feb 2013

    328 Football_understand - Sadly not, and this time we don't have a youth striker to replace Russell, so might be a worry.
    Flood's also been up there with them this season in terms of performances, strange the only club he plays well at is United.

  • Comment posted by jimbo1467, at 22:18 12 Feb 2013

    They couldnt handle playing in front of a big crowd .... celtic hahaha ;)

  • Comment posted by U15594954, at 22:03 12 Feb 2013

    the italians played the italian way of football, they went and scored early and sat back and were happy enough to take all the pressure celtic could give and then punished celtic when they could. yeah the ref didnt have a great game but celtic tried to play the scottish game in europe and that will never work.

  • Comment posted by U15459598, at 22:02 12 Feb 2013

    @football understand I know your a gers fan cos we agreed on a Scotland post few months back now I am sad for commenting on a Celtic story. Pot and kettle.

  • Comment posted by SultanA, at 21:58 12 Feb 2013

    @303

    I would sympathise, but I take it you're an avid fan of football and watched how they crumbled 4-0 last July?

    Couldn't see any ' off-the-ball ' skills being employed there!

    And the mood predictably changes =/

  • Comment posted by U15445698, at 21:57 12 Feb 2013

    not as pathetic as the sports direct,com stadium

    where you'll be playing your football next year sunshine

  • Comment posted by U14634205, at 21:56 12 Feb 2013

    Oh dear oh dear - whinge whinge whinge! Lets blame the referee! Honestly - Celtic tried their best but Juventus hardly broke sweat.

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