Buffon: Inter are a force to be reckoned with

Fresh off his efforts that helped Italy secure a berth at the 2014 World Cup, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has turned his attention back to the Serie A and his club's upcoming derby with Inter Milan on Saturday.

The veteran shot-stopper was quoted by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport telling his teammates that Inter should not be taken lightly, despite the fact that they are coming off a ninth-place finish last season.

"We have tremendous respect for Inter and take them very seriously.

"With a great coach like Mazzarri and the advantage that they can focus on Serie A, Inter are a force to be reckoned with in Serie A.

"Inter will be around all year and could make life difficult for the teams challenging for the Scudetto."

After two matches thus far in 2013, the bitter rivals are among five unbeaten teams at the top of the Serie A table.