Sampdoria goalkeeper Gianluca Curci has spoken of his admiration for AC Milan's Christian Abbiati.

Curci admits he's a big fan of the fit-again Milan No1.

He said: "Abbiati was not in the Italy squad when he deserved to be, especially under Marcello Lippi's tenure.

"At this moment I consider him to be the best Italian goalkeeper out there. I think Milan's strength is not just in their forwards, but above all in defence with Abbiati, Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva."