The two teams meet in two weeks' time at Stamford Bridge with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.

Who will be in charge of the Premier League side then is not yet clear but Buffon believes whoever succeeds Scolari, who paid the price for a poor run of results, Chelsea will have an added edge.

"It would have been better if he had been sacked after they hadn't got through to the next round,'' said the Italy number one. "However, in my opinion a change of manager means the team aren't doing well, that's what normally happens.

"Usually when a team changes manager they're weakened but their desire isn't, so we'll have to see.

"I don't know if it will favour Juve. You will only be able to tell that after the game unfortunately,

"But a change in manager normally provokes a reaction and in this case, looking at the players Chelsea have, I think it will have a positive effect.''

Buffon is in London with his Italy team-mates as they prepare for a mouth-watering international against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium this evening, a clash between the reigning world champions and the most successful international side in history.

Buffon is relishing the challenge which has been dubbed 'the derby of the world'.

"For the prestige and our image it would be a huge pleasure for us to take home a good result against a team of the quality and with as many titles as Brazil,'' said Buffon.

"I like the term 'the derby of the world', it's a good description.''