Juventus goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon has called for full commitment when the Italian champions host Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, looking to put one foot in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
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The Turin giants welcome Jurgen Klopp’s side on a high, having boosted their Serie A lead over challengers Roma to nine points at the weekend.
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Buffon, who admitted to getting frustrated with himself and the team during difficult encounters in recent weeks, said he has every respect for the Germans.
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Dortmund beat Juventus 3-1 to win the 1997 European Cup and were beaten in the 2013 final by Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.
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Although Klopp’s men are only now fighting their way back in the German league following a mediocre start to the campaign, they topped their group, conceding conceded only one defeat and scoring 14.
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Buffon said it would be a mistake to evaluate Dortmund on their league form alone and believes Juve will have to be at their very best in Turin on Tuesday if they are to fulfil their objective of qualifying for their first quarterfinal in two years.
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“We know we’re up against a side that never gives up, which has been in a recent final and that won its group,” Buffon told reporters at Juventus Stadium on Monday.
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“Apart from their domestic form, when there’s an objective on the line they give their very best.”
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Buffon was particularly outspoken after Juventus were held to a 2-2 draw a fortnight ago in Cesena, and on Sunday the Bianconeri were frustrated at home by a rugged Atalanta before prevailing 2-1 thanks to an Andrea Pirlo free kick on the stroke of halftime.
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