For years, Serie A is one of the weakest competitions among the Top 5 European leagues. Juventus is the only club who boasts with regular Champions League performances, while others shine from here to there (Atalanta), but never in the long run. For example, last year’s champion Inter made it through the group stage of the Champions League while they finished dead last the year before. This year’s champion AC Milan was terrible in the Champions League in 2021, finishing last in group stage. Even Atalanta, who had a good run recently, failed to even qualify for Europe this season.Seven million reasons for the colourful Di Maria to turn black and whiteOne of the reasons (but not the main one) is the lack of quality players, especially after such legends as Baggio, Pirlo, Nedved, Kaka, Totti and many others played in Serie A over the decades. Currently, the top Italian league doesn’t have a player of that capacity and former Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon agrees. That is why he thinks that his former club must sign his former teammate Angel Di Maria, and even compares him to the greatest number 10 in Italy – Diego Armando Maradona.“Footballers must be valued considering the context where they play. Today Serie A is technically poorer and Angel has so much technique. He is decisive in front of goal, he dribbles past his opponents so easily. He is good at delivering assists and runs up and down on the pitch. He can play in different roles. In a few words: he is a football player. Right now, Di Maria in Serie A, is like Maradona. Am I clear? explained Buffon to La Gazzetta dello Sport.Europa League’s best player on Juventus’ radar – Vlahovic will appreciate his assist-master compatriotThe 44 year-old year Italian legend spent some time with Di Maria while they both played in PSG and knows that right now, for this league, he is a top player, even at 34.“Age doesn’t matter. Motivation and passion are much more important and the same goes for determination. If Di Maria joins Juventus, it means that he’s ready to do so. We are talking of an exemplary professional, a nice guy, one who never gives up and fights during games and training sessions. I repeat, for today’s Serie A, he’d be like Maradona. At PSG, I played with Neymar, a young Kylian Mbappe, Marco Verratti…but Di Maria was not inferior to any of them” Buffon said.Wednesday, 16.00: (2.00) Kinondoni (3.05) Mbeya Kwanza (4.00)The Argentinian has been looking for a club since the Parisians opted not to renew his contract and Juventus has been a strong (and currently only one) contender to sign him. Juve have offered a one-year contract worth 7 million euros net, with an option for additional year and are waiting player’s response. Buffon also reminded his versatility, as he can cover basically all positions in the midfield.“When he won the Decina at Madrid in 2014, he was playing with Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luk Modric and Toni Kroos. He was always a step back but knew how to play as a winger, attacking midfielder and even Mezzala. Whoever signs him, and I hope it’s Juve, makes a deal. We are talking about a champion and football needs champions” said Buffon.
