Football
8y

Gianluigi Donnarumma excited to face Buffon as AC Milan head to Juventus

Young AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma said facing Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon will give him "even more motivation" this weekend.

Donnarumma, 16, is set to continue as Milan's first-choice keeper against the reigning Serie A champions on Saturday, having been handed his senior debut just a month ago in a 2-1 win over Sassuolo.

He was told he was going to start just 24 hours prior to that fixture, which became the realisation of his lifetime ambition.

"It was an incredibly strong emotion," Donnarumma told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I didn't quite realise before that I was actually going to play. I usually keep all of my emotions inside, but it was difficult that day.

"After training, I called my parents immediately and they left Castellammare [di Stabia, near Naples] immediately to come and watch me. It is what I've always wanted to do, become a goalkeeper. Nothing else.

"As a child, I would always ask if I could go in goal. Of course I also hope to win some major trophies, but I've already realised my dream."

Milan have yet to lose a game with Donnarumma between their posts and they will be hoping that record will continue this weekend when they visit Juventus.

The match will pit the goalkeeper with the least experience in Serie A against the one with the most, Buffon.

"First of all, I want to pay my compliments to him for his splendid career," Donnarumma said on the day Buffon marks two full decades as a professional. "I hope I can swap shirts with him on Saturday night.

"Playing against Gigi gives me even more motivation, but above all I want to win the match. Maybe even without conceding."

That wish is shared by Milan teammate Philippe Mexes, who told Il Corriere dello Sport that he is in "the best form" of his career right now.

Milan, meanwhile, are currently in their best form of the season and the French defender says for this reason, Saturday's trip to the Juventus Stadium is crucial.

"It has to be the game that marks the turning point for us, for good," the 33-year-old said. "It's an important stage of the season and certainly it's an important game, particularly for us."

Milan go into the game with a two-point advantage over their hosts after 12 games of the season.

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