The veteran goalkeeper believes his side must aim for the latter stages of Europe’s top competition, despite their group-stage struggles

Gianluigi Buffon says reaching the Champions League quarter-finals should be a minimum requirement for Juventus this season.

The Italian champions endured an ignominious group-stage exit last season and have struggled for form in Europe in 2014-15, losing to both Olympiakos and Atletico Madrid so far.

Despite their travails in the Champions League, Buffon insists reaching the last four must be a target for Massimiliano Allegri’s side this term.

“I think it’s a question of feeling secure, it relies on victory,” he told reporters on Twitter when asked why Juve struggle for form in Europe. “We have it in Italy, but in Europe we’re yet to find it.

“In the Champions League we want to reach at least the quarter-finals. And we want to win back Serie A.”

Buffon made his 500th appearance for the club in the midweek defeat to Genoa but the 36-year-old maintains he is far from calling time on his illustrious career.

“I never thought of that goal, even though I’m an optimist by nature,” he added. “I’m fairly satisfied, but there are still more miles to go.”

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