SOCCER: JUVE 'EXPLOSION', BUFFON
SOCCER: JUVE 'EXPLOSION', BUFFON
(ANSA) - Rome, October 29 - Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon on Thursday compared Juve's 5-1 win over Sampdoria to ''a nuclear explosion''.
The Italy keeper was asked if the surprisingly convincing win over high-flying Samp was the ''spark'' that would fire Juve's sometimes spluttering engine into powering a more consistent drive against Inter Milan's dominance.
''No, it wasn't a spark. It was a nuclear explosion,'' he told Sky TV.
Wednesday's thrashing put Juve a point behind Jose' Mourinho's win ahead of Inter's make-up game against 7th-placed Palermo Thursday night.
Brazilian striker Amauri continued his return to form with a brace that gives him four goals from Juve's last three games, his first strikes since February.
Buffon said Juve was proving it could perform against the top clubs but needed to shed a habit of dropping points to lesser opponents.
''We've always been up to the task with the bigger clubs but unfortunately it's the other games that make the difference''.
''We have to stop giving away points if we want to go far''.
Juve, the most successful side in Italian domestic history, have been strengthened by additions such as Brazilian playmaker Diego for an avowed aim of landing their first post-Calciopoli title and 28th in all.
But their next proposition, resurgent Napoli who battled to a last-gasp 2-2 home draw with Milan Wednesday, aren't going to be a pushover in Saturday's early match.
The Neapolitans have risen to joint 9th after Walter Mazzarri replaced Roberto Donadoni, showing a grit that has produced three key late goals in as many matches.
After their crushing loss in Turin, Sampdoria are a point behind Juve and faced with the task of reviving morale ahead of Sunday's home game with joint-9th Bari.
The Puglians are also on a low, however, after a 2-0 away defeat that lifted Parma into fourth, three points behind Samp.
On Saturday night Parma go to Milan, whose three-win streak ended in Naples after defender Ignazio Abate was red-carded and Ronaldhino put in another puzzling display.
Milan had been two up after six minutes with lightning strikes from Pippo Inzaghi and Alexandre Pato.
Rome clubs Lazio and Roma, who both suffered losses Wednesday, are looking to get back to winning ways at bottom club Siena and at home to joint-16th Bologna.
Inter travels to joint-16th Livorno in another easy-looking game.
The champions could have a 4-point lead over Juve if they beats Palermo at the San Siro Thursday night.
