"I spend so much energy to keep myself in shape and perform well in these games, to be of use to my teammates". Yet, there has always been a sneaking suspicion that he can go missing during the bigger matches.
Buffon also praised coach Massimiliano Allegri for his decision to bring Andrea Barzagli into a three-man defense, thwarting Monaco's attack and allowing Alves to wreak havoc down the right.
Juventus' goalkeeper from Italy Gianluigi Buffon (left) prepares to block a shot on goal by Monaco's French forward Kylian Mbappe during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match Monaco vs Juventus at the Stade Louis II stadium in Monaco on Thursday.
The Italian champions, who advanced to the last four with a 3-0 aggregate win over Barcelona, are ideally placed to reach the final.
"After the break we had good chances but we lacked efficiency".
"Juventus played very intelligently and we came up against one of the best teams in the world", Silva said.
The last player to score against Buffon in a Champions League game was Sevilla's Nicolas Pareja, who did so in the ninth minute of a 3-1 victory for Juventus on November 22.
Alvarez-Golovkin could be anywhere
I enjoyed the fight, I won the fight, every single round , I had fun and that's what I do. "It's a closer fight now in my eyes than it was a year ago".
Juventus started quickly, then Monaco have managed to seize the initiative several times to stretch Buffon, eliminate attacks Mbappe and Falcao.
At his post-match press conference, the Portuguese coach said: "I'm really happy with my players".
Allegri still had complaints about his side's performance in Monaco, and says they must remain focused to turn this season into an extraordinary one.
Monaco has scored an incredible 146 goals in an inspirational season that has made the rest of Europe take notice, but was found wanting both in terms of composure and tactical knowledge.
His second strike on the hour mark completed the 2-0 win and Dunphy conceded that Higuain, who has scored 31 goals in 48 appearances this season, including five in the Champions League, took his goals well on the night. We realised how strong we are, we know we can fight anyone, so it's a matter of believing.
Those two saves were more than Buffon had to make from Luis Suarez and Neymar in the previous round - combined across two legs. It is hard now, but I told them that we have to believe, even if we have a only a 5% chance of making the final.
Midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, who made the mistake that led to Alves setting up Higuain for the second goal, wants the principality club to bounce back with a confidence-boosting victory at Nancy in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
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