Buffon fired up for Champions League return

The Azzurri shot-stopper missed hearing the signature music during the Bianconeri's recent absence from European football's elite competition

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has described his frustration at hearing the Champions League anthem only "from the sofa" after missing out on playing in the tournament since 2009.

The Italy captain has been an envious onlooker of the competition as Juve instead played in the Europa League in 2010-11 and missed out on Europe altogether the season after.

"That piece of music? I'll be glad to hear it again," Buffon was quoted as saying in Corriere dello Sport.

"I’ve had to listen to it from my sofa over these years and I didn’t think that was right."

Juventus begin their campaign against last year's winners Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday, and will be hoping to get their campaign off to a winning start.

The new Serie A season has again been disrupted by allegations of corruption in Italy, with coach Antonio Conte implicated, but Buffon believes the Turin side can remain focused and stay competitive.

"We have to get back to that certain mentality, that ferocity, of last year," added the keeper.