Buffon confirms AC Milan prediction but Conte brings ‘fierce determination’ to Napoli

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 06: Gianluigi Buffon of Italy attends before the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between France and Italy at Parc des Princes stadium on September 06, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Italy Delegation Chief Gianluigi Buffon expects Milan to finish in the top three this season but warns that Antonio Conte brings ‘fierce determination’ to Napoli.

Conte and Massimiliano Allegri have won 11 of the last 15 Serie A titles together, and on Sunday, they meet at San Siro for the big game of Serie A Week 5, Milan-Napoli.

Buffon won several trophies under both coaches at Juventus so he has clear ideas about what Conte and Allegri can bring to their teams.

The former goalkeeper told Gazzetta that he was impressed by the “fierce determination Conte had and the clarity in conveying concepts,” when the Italian tactician was appointed as the new Juventus coach in 2011.

Buffon: What Conte told players in one of the first Juventus meetings

“In one of the first meetings, relying on his football knowledge, he told us: ‘This type of play is done this way. If you have any doubt, ask me and I’ll give you the explanation. If I don’t give it to you, it means I’m mocking you, and it will never happen,” Buffon continued.

Conte won three consecutive Serie A titles in Turin before leaving the club one day into the 2014-15 pre-season and being replaced by Allegri.

“We found a coach with a different personality and methodology,” Buffon said.

“Allegri knew less than Conte about the Juventus environment; he needed help and support from all the components so that the integration would be immediate.”

Buffon: Allegri gave Juventus a ‘softer routine’

What struck Buffon about the Livorno-born coach was “the boldness that, in certain moments, does the team a lot of good in overcoming certain steps. He gave us a softer routine during training and throughout the week. Probably these were the perfect ingredients to extend the cycle and keep winning.”

Napoli and Milan are perhaps the most in-form Serie A teams at the moment and Buffon expected them to have such a strong start.

“Surely Napoli. It might have seemed obvious only to those looking from the outside, since in football, it’s always tough to prove and confirm yourself,” he said.

“Thanks to Allegri’s arrival, I had predicted in August that Milan would finish in the top three, and they’re confirming my impression.”

The San Siro showdown will also mark a meeting between Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric.

“They are two champions. I’m particularly glad that Modric is performing so well because I know him, and in the pas,t I also made the same choice: change league at an advanced age to find new motivation,” Buffon concluded.

“Beyond people’s talk and scepticism, I felt as strong as five years earlier, and I proved it. He is doing the same, with one match per week, Modric can have a wonderful season.”