Juventus clinched their place in the 2017 UEFA Champions League final on Tuesday night, but Gianluigi Buffon insists his side have achieved nothing yet.
The Bianconeri were already in control of their semi-final against Monaco following a 2-0 away win at the French club last week, and second-leg goals from Mario Mandzukic and Dani Alves all but finished the contest before half-time. Kylian Mbappe, who has seen his stock rise in this season’s competition, pulled one back for the Ligue 1 leaders but it was always a consolation.
Juve will now take on Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid in the Cardiff final next month, with Los Blancos almost certain to provide the opposition following their 3-0 first leg win at the Bernabeu. For Buffon, this gives him the opportunity to finally get his hands on the Champions League trophy having been on the losing side in the 2003 final against Milan and in 2015 against Barcelona.
“Two years ago everyone thought it was my last final – but you have to believe in your dreams,” said the 39-year-old. “That’s how we got through. We’ve got to Cardiff – I won’t say it was our aim because getting to the final means nothing. I’m really happy because I’m in good shape. I can’t deny the fact that if we didn’t have a great team, getting there wouldn’t be possible.”
Although Buffon is playing down his side’s achievement at reaching the showpiece final of European football, it is another sign of the power that his side currently possess. Massimiliano Allegri’s side are well on course for a sixth successive Scudetto success, and they take on Lazio in the Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico next week as they strive to secure an historic treble.
