As European heavyweights Juventus and Real Madrid prepare for tonight’s Champions League clash at the Bernabeu, Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has questioned the Spanish side’s ‘galactico’ transfer policy.

The 35-year-old Italy goalkeeper, who played under Real coach and compatriot Carlo Ancelotti in a Juve team featuring his current assistant Zinedine Zidane, backed Ancelotti to cope with the huge pressure of expectation at the nine-times continental champions.

However, he suggested luring the world’s top players like record signings Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, who alone cost almost €200 million ($274 million), to the Spanish capital was not enough to guarantee success in the modern game.

“The philosophy of 10 years ago remains the same, buy great champions, entertain the fans and maintain the historic prestige of Real Madrid,” Buffon said in an interview with Spanish sports daily Marca yesterday.

“But the reality is that in football, above all now, that’s not enough to win. It’s better to have a project, balance and patience. Money is a good starting point but it’s not enough in itself,” he added.

Real have splashed more than €600m on players over the past five years in a bid to secure the 10th European crown they have been chasing since they last won the Champions League in 2002.

Their outlay is almost three times as much as European and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who have spent €227 million, according to the latest Prime Time Sport Football Transfer Review published last month.

Only English side Manchester City come close with an outlay of €549 million, while Juventus have spent the most of any Serie A club with €274 million.