Buffon reveals Dida admiration

The Italian international said he was left in awe at the Brazilian's heroics during Saturday's top of the table clash against the Rossoneri.

The ex-Parma shot stopper hailed his rival for denying the Bianconeri all three points with some mouth watering saves during the game.

"He was the man of the match," opined Buffon. "Stopping us from grabbing all three points with some incredible saves in crucial moments of the match."

Dida has a habit of thwarting Juve after his heroics last May at Old Trafford in the penalty shoot-out which helped Carlo Ancelotti's men go on to grab Europe's most prestigious club award the UEFA Champions League.

"Unfortunately, it's not the first time Dida turns the fortunes of a match against us," he added.

"I mean, all good keepers make good saves, but he gives a lot of confidence to his defence throughout the 90 minutes.

"I think, at his age (30), he has reached the peak of his capabilities."

Buffon also recalled how things were not quite so rosy for the Giuseppe Meazza ace early on in his Milan career after such performances like the one he displayed a few years back in the Champions League against Leeds United at Elland Road when a Lee Bowyer effort slipped through his grasp and in to the net.

"I think he was mentally strong to leave that mistake behind him and conquer his place in the squad again.

"It was hard for me too, when I joined Juve, to play for such a big team. After a couple of blunders that really annoyed me, I turned to be more relaxed while playing and I have improved my performances."

The Stadio Delle Alpi custodian is among the front runners for the 2003 Balon d'Or but he knows he faces a real battle to walk off with the accolade.

"Everybody talks about a close challenge between Paolo Maldini and Pavel Nedved, but you can not count out people like Raul and Andrei Shevchenko. We shall see," he added.