Roma may have done the unthinkable on Tuesday night against Barcelona but if Juventus progressed past Real Madrid in their quarter-final, it will eclipse it.The Italian giants lost 3-0 in Turin last week so needed to score at least three goals at the Bernabeu to stand any chance of producing one of the greatest Champions League comebacks ever.But it’s not as though this Juve side is lacking in quality.They’re on course to win yet another Serie A title and have bags of Champions League experience.And the most experienced player in Juve’s side is, without doubt, their 40-year-old captain Gianluigi Buffon.In what is set to be his final Champions League match, Buffon was performing his captaincy duties with Madrid captain for the night Marcelo ahead of kick-off.And the Brazilian full-back showed his ultimate respect to the legendary goalkeeper.
MARCELO'S SIGN OF RESPECT
Before the coin toss, Marcelo decided to give Buffon a ‘Namaste bow’ - a great sign of respect.
And football fans were absolutely loving it.
It was the perfect way to start a massive Champions League tie.
Maybe Marcelo and his Madrid teammates were giving Buffon and the Juventus side a bit too much respect.
That’s because Mario Mandzukic hauled the away side back into the tie with a header from Sami Khedira’s cross after just two minutes. And eight minutes before half-time, Mandzukic scored another header to make it very interesting.
Incidentally, ahead of the tie, Buffon explained that his side will go into the second-leg believing they can achieve the impossible.
"Trying to achieve the impossible will help us achieve the possible," the 'keeper said. "This is what we need to do. We need to play with this kind of spirit against an amazing side."
If Juventus do the impossible, Buffon will somehow have to stop Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo scored twice against the Italian goalkeeper in the first-leg, including an outrageous bicycle kick.
And Buffon is fully aware of the threat the Portuguese legend possesses.
"I don't know if he is the most complete player, because I've faced some great footballers in all these years, but right now for his position he is the most decisive," Buffon said.
"I have no doubts about that. He is impressive. He is consistent and always scores goals."