Buffon: 'Tevez is misrepresented'

Gigi Buffon insists Carlos Tevez has been “misrepresented” and the thought of Antonio Conte leaving Juventus terrifies him.

The goalkeeper was taking part in a charity event at Massa Carrara today and spoke about last night’s 1-0 win over Sampdoria, which was sealed by a Tevez goal.

“Everyone seems to take it for granted that Juventus will win a third consecutive Scudetto, but Conte warned us that a treble is extremely difficult. You risk falling apart at the first sign of trouble, because you don’t have that hunger and determination that helped you to the first title,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

Many also expected Tevez to struggle in Turin after personality clashes at Manchester City.

“Tevez has been misrepresented. He puts the good of the squad above his own ego and has incredible quality. He’s a genuine champion.

“As for Conte, when there was talk of his potential exit I felt a shiver go up my spine. He is the added value of this team and an absolutely crucial element.

“Would I have given up three years of my career for him to stay? Not three years, but maybe three weeks,” joked Buffon.

The focus for this season is likely to be the Champions League, having gone out in the quarter-finals last term against eventual winners Bayern Munich.

“In Europe we are competitive, but that’s very different from saying we can win it. You need luck, above all in the draw. Maybe last year if we had faced Bayern Munich in the Final rather than the quarters, it could’ve gone differently.

“There are three or four teams currently better equipped to lift the trophy, that is objectively true. I think at times facing a side you know is stronger on paper can help bring something out of you, though.”

Antonio Conte is simply the best coach in the world. If he had Messi on his team he would win the Champions League every year. Conte turned a 7th place team into an Italian powerhouse and a back to back scudetto winner.

He turned Barzagli into a world class defender when no one else wanted him. He took an out of favour Pirlo and brought him to Juve and turned him into the Pirlo of old. He turned Bonucci into a world class sweeper. He put Vidal into a position that was perfect for his skills and has turned him into a world class midfielder.

The Juve of today is because of Antonio Conte. He has turned this franchise around. He will become the greatest Italian coach ever. Ancelotti, Sacchi, Capello, Lippi, Trapattoni. Conte will surpass them all. At 44 years of age he still has over two decades of coaching in his future. Who knows what will become of Conte in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years. Will he leave Italy? Will he coach La Nazionale? Or will he become the Italian version of Sir Alex Ferguson and stay at Juve forever? I have a feeling he will not stay at Juve forever because Conte is driven for success and he will want to succeed at all levels.

So enjoy Antonio Conte for today. He will lead us to Champions League glory I am sure. Enjoy him today because he will be gone tomorrow. But not until he leaves his mark and his legacy with his favourite team of all time, La Vecchia Signora. Conte will become a Juventino legend. Let's enjoy the ride...