Buffon: 'Juventus can win Champions League'

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes that his side can win the Champions League this season.

The Italian champions will take on Celtic in the last 16, the first leg of which will be played in Glasgow on Tuesday.



"Juventus are back at top level of European football again - and we believe this could be our year," he told the Scottish Sun.



"We showed in the two games against the current European Champions Chelsea that we should now be taken very seriously.



"We have got a squad full of quality - and there is a real determination that this will not just be our season in Italy but also in Europe."



Buffon added that Juventus are not underestimating Celtic and admits that winning in Glasgow will be difficult.



"We are taking Celtic very seriously for sure," said the 35-year-old.



"Not just in beating Barcelona, but their performance in the group stages in general showed they are a very dangerous team.



"Especially in Glasgow it will be very tough. All the Celtic supporters will be fired up - but we are normally used to playing in such atmospheres."



Juventus last won the Champions League in 1996.

Buffon extends Juventus stay

Gianluigi Buffon is to remain with Juventus until at least the summer of 2015 after agreeing a two-year contract extension.



The 34-year-old has been with the Turin giants since 2011, standing by them through good times and bad.



He has become an iconic figure for the Bianconeri and is widely considered to be one the finest goalkeepers of the modern era.



Juve are understandably delighted to have seen him agree fresh terms, with a compromise having been reached after the Serie A outfit initially planned to put a three-year deal to the World Cup winner.



After putting pen to paper, on reduced terms, Buffon said: "I remember my first day and the fact that I was asking myself if I was up to the standard of a club like Juventus.



"My rapport with the fans has been important. I also enjoy a good relationship with the management and coaching staff.



"I would have turned down offers from other teams. For me, Juventus has become a way of life.



"We want to reclaim the Italian title. We've shown we're back as a competitive force in Europe. That's what matters."



Loyal



Juventus president Andrea Agenell added: "Gigi is our captain and today has signed a contract that ties him with the club for a further two years.



"Just one quick glance was enough for us to come to an agreement and decide to carry on.



"Buffon is sincere, loyal, honest and constructive. Juventus is Gigi's home."

Casillas, Best Keeper in World for fifth time

Iker Casillas scooped the Best Goalkeeper in the World award for the fifth time by the International Federation of History and Statistics of Football (IFFHS).



From a shortlist composed by journalists from five continents, Casillas accumulated 224 points, ahead of Italian Gianluigi Buffon, who totalled 128.



Czech keeper Petr Cech (Chelsea) came third with 92 points; German Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) came fourth with 85 points; Englishman Joe Hart (Manchester City) finished fifth on 26 points and another Spaniard, Victor Valdés (Barcelona), came sixth with 15 points.



It is the fifth consecutive time that 31-year-old Casillas has won the award after he came second, third and fourth on two occasions between 2003 and 2007. and fourth on two occasions between 2003 and 2007.