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    • Manuel Neuer vs Gigi Buffon: Who’s the best?

    Manuel Neuer vs Gigi Buffon: Who’s the best?

    During the first leg meeting at the J Stadium, Bayern Munich proved it could take only a few minutes to get the better of Serie A leaders Juventus, while the Bianconeri showed they can create all kind of troubles to the Bundesliga defending champions, if they really believe in their potential.

    The two sides do not have many things in common, but one of those is the presence of a world-class goalkeeper  per team: Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon.

    What I am asking you today is: who among them two is the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment?

    Both Buffon of them have won a World Cup during their career, but they have both failed to win a personal award – namely the Balon d’Or – which they would have deserved as much as Lev Yashin did.

    Neuer is obviously younger than the Old Lady’s veteran and this could theoretically represent a small advantage for the 29-year-old Germany International. However, age doesn’t seem to have affected too much Buffon’s reliability. Neuer has been constantly improving and it is possible he would develop even more in the upcoming years, cementing his place as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

     

    Watching Manuel Neuer in person leaves quite an unforgettable sensation. His physical attributes are just stunning. He can dominate his own area just opening his arms, his strength and explosiveness make him a unique goalkeeper, not to mention how good he is with the ball at his feet and his extraordinary capability of reading the opponents’ attacking actions.

    Buffon probably doesn’t do as much saves outside the penalty area as Neuer does, but the legendary Italian player is more accurate when defending his goal and he can basically save all kind of shots coming from the opponents’ feet. The 38-year-old shot-stopper has not lost any reactivity compared to 10 years ago. Actually, he looks mentally stronger compared to the past.





    The feeling is that Buffon has also a bit more personality than the German and that his leadership role inside the Old Lady’s dressing room can also help the rest of the team.

    You need to help us solving our dilemma. Who’s the best between Buffon and Neuer?

    Spanish press and fans used to say Iker Casillas was the best shot-stopper out there, but the former Real Madrid star will end his playing career at Porto, a good team, but definitely not as good as the Merengues,  Juventus or Bayern.

    That’s not the first time people underestimate Buffon. You might remember when Franz Beckenbauer trolled the Italian legend after he allowed David Alaba’s long-range goal in the 2013 Champions League quarter finals.

    That time Kaiser Franz believed Buffon was ready for retirement. Today, Beckenbauer’s words can’t be taken too seriously. Who will be the most decisive goalkeeper tonight?

    Who’s the best between Gigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer?

    Luca Borioni @LucaBorioni, translated  by Lorenzo Bettoni  @lorebetto
     

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