Iker Casillas: 'Gianluigi Buffon a reference point for a generation'

The two sides clash in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in Turin, in a game that will bring together a vast array of superstars, and the Spanish goalkeeper has his own ideas on who to watch amid his rivals.

“It's an exciting and attractive match,” Casillas has told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Both teams have many protagonists and a different playing style. It's going to be tough for us, but we'll try leaving Turin with an excellent result.

“As for their players, what could I say about [Gigi] Buffon? He's been a point of reference for my generation as well as those to come. For those like me, who dreamt of being a goalkeeper, he represented the great spotlight, in which we dreamt of standing in by his side.

“As for [Andrea] Pirlo, he is fantastic for how he handles the ball, wonderful to watch, and a champion in everything. He has the kind of quality that always keeps those of us who love football entertained.”

Casillas then went on to discuss two of his fellow Spaniards playing with the Old Lady.

“Alvaro Morata is the future. But he already has one foot in the present. He has everything – left and right foot, speed, dribbling, intelligence. He'll turn into the starting No. 9 for the national team.

“Fernando Llorente can change the dynamics of games that are blocked. He is excellent on aerial balls, he's smart and a poacher.”

Finally, the 33-year-old had some words to say on his coach, Carlo Ancelotti.

“He brought the smile back to Madrid. He gave us the 10th European Cup, which we had been pursuing for 12 years. He closed a historical year with Real Madrid, 2014, with four titles. Nobody had ever done that.”

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