Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon remains hopeful that he can put off knee surgery until the Christmas break.
Keeper ready to make 100th appearance for Italy
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon remains hopeful that he can put off a knee operation until the Christmas break.
Buffon requires surgery to repair a broken meniscus and the Italy international revealed last month that he intended to go under the knife after Juve's game with Inter Milan on December 5th.
However, he has now confirmed that he could delay the operation until after his club's final UEFA Champions League group fixture against Bayern Munich.
Victory over Bordeaux in their next game would secure a place in the last 16, but Buffon says he is prepared to face Bayern on December 8th if Juve's qualification is still in the balance.
"I will play against Internazionale, and if needed, against Bayern Munich too, and then I'll have surgery," Buffon told reporters.
Meanwhile, Buffon is due to make his 100th appearance for Italy on Saturday when the World Cup holders tackle Holland in a friendly.
He added: "100 caps is a wonderful figure, even if in the end it's just a number like all the others.
"In any case, it's very important for La Nazionale and will also determine the end of my career. When Italy don't call me anymore then I will be very, very close to quitting."
