Buffon to make Juventus comeback

Gianluigi Buffon will make his first appearance of the season following a back problem against Catania in the Coppa Italia today, his club Juventus said yesterday.

Buffon has been unavailable since suffering a herniated disc during the World Cup in South Africa in June.

But Italy’s first choice number one is finally due to make his season bow according to assistant coach Francesco Conti.

And Conti also moved to difuse a row between the club and Mali midfielder Mohamed Sissoko.

Coach Luigi del Neri seemed to question the player’s claims he was injured ahead of Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Napoli and took him to Naples anyway, although he did not make the match-day squad.

Sissoko hit back in the press claiming the club wants to sell him and have treated him badly.

“He’s available, he has the total confidence of the technical staff and we’ll count on him as long as he stays here, he can still give a lot,” said Conti.

“I don’t agree with his outburst, I don’t think Del Neri has ever lacked respect for anyone.”

Conti also insisted that the much-maligned Italian Cup would be taken very seriously in Turin this season.

The team comes into the Catania game having conceded seven goals in losing their last two league games, scoring just once in reply.

That left them sixth in the league and nine points behind leaders Milan.

“This is a moment in which the team must respond, we want to qualify for the next round,” he said.

“Conceding seven goals in two games weighs heavily, we’re giving our maximum to eradicate the mistakes.”