Gianluigi Buffon's exit from the Champions League was probably the least edifying way a legend has ever left such a stage but his manager Massimo Allegri is still backing the Italian legend after his outburst at Michael Oliver.
It's obviously quite the claim to say that was the least edifying exit considering Zinedine Zidane, who slightly ironically was the opposition manager, finished his entire career with the infamous headbutt to Marco Materazzi in the World Cup final.
Check out this other Italian's most brilliant quotes:
Whilst Buffon's moment of madness might not have been in such a huge moment or made such a big difference to the outcome the Italian legend did look a lot worse for screaming at the referee.
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The 40 year old can be given some leeway considering the emotion of the awarding of the last minute penalty and even in his reaction post match as emotions still would have been running high.
In retrospect though the Italian definitely went too far and should have come out to apologise to Oliver later but has yet to do so and it doesn't sound like his manager thinks he should with Max Allegri saying:
"For over 20 years, Gianluigi Buffon has been a role model both on and off the pitch.
"If on one occasion he said the things he did, in a situation as tough as Wednesday night's, that is understandable and I challenge anyone to react differently. It's always easy to judge from the outside. The ref had a very good game for 90 minutes, he really did. He then slightly lost his way at the end, but these things can happen.
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"I don't know if it was correct or not, I don't care, but Buffon was also sent off and therefore denied the opportunity to save the Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. Gigi's reaction is to be understood."
Once again the Old Lady's boss seems to be going around the same idea that Buffon tried to defend himself with that somehow the reaction was fair simply because the Italian champions had made such an incredible comeback against Real.
It was a brilliant effort from the Serie A leaders and a huge shame that they did lose the match in the end but to suggest they should have been spared the penalty or Buffon allowed to stay on the pitch because of the circumstances is a nonsense.
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Unfortunately for all football romantics and neutrals Oliver got the decisions correct, it's about time Juventus acknowledged that.
Featured Image Credit:Topics:ย Football News, Michael Oliver, Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus, Champions League, Real Madrid, Italy