Football Empire

   Buffon missed an official team photo last week and the question of his absence could have been a secret meeting between Gianluigi and United representatives. Fortunately for Juve, Buffon couldn't make the team photo because of an award ceremony that he attended that day.

   Juventus general manager, Beppe Marotta, stated:

   "Juve have nothing to reproach Gigi for," Marotta said. "Actually we expect him on the pitch as soon as possible. We didn't speak to each other today nor did we see each other. But there is nothing strange in that. He is doing various training sessions and is not at Vinovo with us. I hope that in the next few days he gets in the car and comes to find us."

   Buffont stated for "Tuttosport" :

   "Manchester United? I am used to living with these rumours, people have been speaking about this for six years now, but nothing has happened."