Iker Casillas has hailed Gianluigi Buffon as a ‘reference for a generation’ and Andrea Pirlo a ‘marvel’ with Real Madrid playing Juventus in the Champions League.
The sides meet on Tuesday and Casillas has spoken to the Gazzetta dello Sport, in an interview also published by AS.
“What do you want me to say about Buffon? He was a reference for my generation and remains so for the next,” Casillas said.
“For people like me, who dreamed of being a goalkeeper, he represented a huge shop window that we could come to and be seen next to him.
“Pirlo is always fantastic with the ball. He’s a marvel to watch, a champion of everything…he has so much quality he always entertains he fans who watch him.
“I don’t think the game will be similar to against Atletico Madrid. Juve in the Champions League and the decisive matches in Italy have always gone out to impose themselves.
“Then, of course, it’s a semi-final and we’re all on the pitch playing for a result. I see few goals and a lot of tension.
“For me the League doesn’t matter [that Juventus have won Serie A and Madrid are still competing]. We have to continue giving both competitions the necessary importance.
“The League isn’t up to us. We can only keep fighting, but in the Champions League we’re all level. You depend on yourself and if you do it right, you can get to the final.
“Barcelona and Bayern Munich? They’re two very similar style teams because Pep Guardiola has been at Barca first and then gone to Bayern.
“I don’t know a lot about Sevilla [who play Fiorentina in the Europa League] but I can say they’re a great team with a solid Coach who knows how to convey his ideas. They’re my favourites [for the fixture].”
