Juventus goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon believed his team proved themselves in the 2-1 Champions League defeat of Real Madrid.
The Bianconeri take their advantage to the Santiago Bernabeu next week and Buffon feels his team demonstrated they can play against Carlo Ancelotti’s men on level terms.
“We could have won 3-1 and they could’ve equalised for 2-2, so with a clear head – which I don’t have right now! – we are happy,” the goalkeeper told Sky Sport Italia.
“The important thing tonight was to prove we could play against the European champions on level terms and I think even a draw would have been acceptable.
“It was similar to a boxing match in that we took turns hitting each other, and I expect the second leg will be similar.
“Real Madrid are a great team but at this level, even though on paper they are stronger than us, we can challenge them in terms of hunger, enthusiasm and athleticism.
“The great thing about football is that the strongest don’t always win. In the short term the best on the night win, while in the long term it’s the strongest overall.”
