Gianluigi Buffon: 'Mario Gomez is world class'

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that his side struggled to keep Fiorentina at bay during their Europa League last-16 tie in Turin.

The veteran shot-stopper singled out Mario Gomez for plaudits following the 1-1 draw, describing the former Bayern Munich striker as "world class".

"We were up against a team featuring important individuals who can hurt you with just one move," Buffon told reporters. "Gomez did well. He's a world-class player, not someone who's just burst onto the scene.

Juventus defeated Fiorentina 1-0 in Serie A last weekend, but Gomez's late equaliser ensured that the outcome was different this time around.

"We wanted to handle the game in the same way we did on Sunday, unfortunately it didn't go our way tonight," Buffon added.

Juventus travel to the Artemio Franchi for the return leg on March 20.