Gianluigi Buffon believes Juventus is still a match for any team in Europe

Photo credit: AFP.

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon believes his side have the qualities to reach the Champions League final once more this season as they look to seal their place in the last 16 as group winners against Sevilla on Tuesday.

A point at the Sanchez Pizjuan will be enough to ensure the Italian champions top Group D ahead of Manchester City and avoid the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid in the last 16.

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At 37, the Champions League is one of the few major trophies to have escaped the legendary Buffon after losing out in the final to Barca last season and AC Milan in 2003. However, he is confident Juventus can compete for Europe’s greatest prize again this season after a slow start to the campaign.

“We can hold our own against anyone in Europe and displayed just that last year,” he said on Monday.

“We’ve always come up with the right answers when we’ve had to stand up and be counted and this has made me think that we’re an excellent team.

“Winning in Manchester and beating Sevilla shows you’re a strong side. All that was lacking was the consistency that we’ve now rediscovered.

“I’ve been here for a while now and this particular side has a way of playing in Europe that’s very similar to the first Juventus team I was part of, the one that reached the final in Manchester following an important run.”