Ti passed second by second, a whole hour had gone by.
Higuain and the others felt their legs heavy as if filled with lead, every ti they lifted their legs to shoot, it was as if they used all their strength, almost cramping the next mont.
Nevertheless, Buffon was like an untiring machine, not drinking even a sip of water, instead his state was becoming increasingly heroic.
His eyes were locked on every soccer ball flying towards the goal, that focused expression seed as if only he and that penalty existed on the field!
He flew to save like a cheetah again and again, sotis stretching to the left, sotis flying to the right, forcefully parrying the high-quality penalty shots.
His movents were agile and powerful, each successful save was like buckets of cold water, gradually dousing the forwards' originally full confidence, making their eyes reveal frustration and helplessness.
"Have a drink, Buffon, you're already a saving expert, we all admire you!"
After missing another penalty shot, Higuain bent over, hands on his knees, reluctantly spreading his hands, a trace of plea in his voice.
But Buffon remained unmoved, eyes determined like steel, speaking firmly: "Keep shooting!"
The voice carried an invisible force, echoing on the training ground.
He then turned to look at Dybala and Mandzukic, loudly shouting: "We're not done yet! Higuain, keep practicing. And you two, Dybala, Mandzukic, extra half-hour practice after the match, none of you are allowed to leave!"
His words were commands.
Buffon was undoubtedly the big brother in the Juventus team's locker room.
He held high prestige, possessing absolute authority on the team.
So, although Higuain, Dybala, and Mandzukic were well-known top stars, they could only obediently comply with Buffon's demands.
The reason Buffon was training penalty shots so frantically was due to an intense premonition in his heart—the two-leg semi-final against Manchester City could very likely have penalty shots!
And he knew well that if Manchester City got a penalty, the taker would most likely be Tang Long.
At the thought of Tang Long, a complex emotion flashed in Buffon's eyes, one of anger, yet also unwillingness!
Previously, he had been toyed with by Tang Long on the 12-yard line three tis consecutively, that sense of humiliation still lingered like a thorn in his throat.
This ti, he secretly vowed in his heart, no matter the cost, he must save Tang Long's penalty, and wash away previous disgrace.
Buffon's thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the 2006 World Cup journey.
It was a glorious mory, in that World Cup, the Italy team successfully won the championship, and Buffon was one of the greatest contributors.
In the group stage, he made high and low saves, constantly resolving the opponent's highly threatening attacks, leaving the forwards empty-handed.
In the knockout stage, he was like a stabilizing force, guarding Italy's goal.
The whole tournant, the Italy team only conceded two goals, one was an own goal, the other Zidane's penalty.
Back then, Buffon was at his peak, and each save in front of the goal made his teammates reassured and opposing players fearful.
Now, although already 39 years old, although 11 years have passed since the 2006 World Cup, Buffon still had full confidence in himself.
He believed that although the years had left marks on him, his prowess hadn't diminished in the slightest.
He was still the strongest goalkeeper in the world, on this planet!
As long as he stood in front of the goal, Juventus' defense would be an impenetrable fortress, a steel Great Wall, making it difficult for any opponent to break through Juventus' goal.
In Buffon's eyes, standing there on the training ground now, at the goal line, everything around him seed to gradually blur.
Whether it was facing Mandzukic's powerful penalty shot, or Dybala's tricky angled shot, or Higuain's deceptive and skillful shot, in his eyes, the figures of these three were gradually morphing into Tang Long.
Tang Long's slight smile, that confident pace, seed to be right in front of him!
And when he successfully saved these top forwards' penalty shots ti and again, Buffon's inner confidence was like a fla that had been ignited, a fire that was rising higher and higher, constantly soaring.
His eyes glimred with a resolute light, the desire to win like a fla, rising fiercely from his heart, quickly spreading, making the entire penalty area crackle with burning intensity!
He kept shouting in his mind: "Tang Long, bring it on, if you trick again with penalties this ti, I'll retire imdiately!"
Buffon secretly vowed again, looking steadfastly into the distance, as if already seeing the mont of confrontation with Manchester City.
The sunshine on the training ground fell on him, outlining his determined silhouette.
Juventus on their official social dia, released a group of nine photos, all about Buffon's training in saving penalty shots, titled: Preparing for Manchester City, we are ready!
Soon, an Inter fan comnted:
"Buffon, don't run! Your old friend Tang Long is eting you again!"
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