It was a good idea to go to Paris because it's a big club and he was playing regularly. Pagliuca told Stats Perform News: "If I was him, I have already retired. With Buffon set to again lose his place despite remaining at the forefront of the European game, it would support Gianluca Pagliuca's suggestion the Juve great should have retired rather than return to Turin to sit on the bench. In 2020-21, Szczesny has conceded a goal per game and kept out 71.3 per cent of shots on his goal. He has prevented 7.7 goals - with a 66.7 xGOT conceded versus 59 non-penalty goals - albeit having played 68 matches, 42 more than Buffon. This season alone, among goalkeepers to play 10 times or more, Buffon again ranks second for save percentage, his 81.8 this time trailing Sergio Rico.Īcross the past two campaigns, Szczesny has saved 72.7 per cent of shots he has faced, but has conceded on average 1.1 goals per game and collected a clean sheet in just 31 per cent of his appearances. Meanwhile, discounting penalties and own goals, Buffon has conceded 14 times over the past two seasons despite having an expected goals on target (xGOT) conceded total of 17.1, meaning he has prevented 3.1 goals. With 11 clean sheets in 26 outings, he ranks ninth for clean sheet percentage (42). None of these keepers have conceded fewer goals than Buffon (18), while again Bounou is the only man conceding fewer goals per game (0.7 for Buffon). "It was already in my mind to have Gigi play, but remains the main goalkeeper of Juventus."Įven besides the mishap against Torino, Buffon's output since returning to Juve has been more than a match for the number one.Īmong goalkeepers in Europe's 'top five' leagues to play 25 games or more in all competitions since the start of last season, Buffon's save rate of 80.2 per cent trails only Sevilla's Yassine Bounou. "He was already tired when he was back from the national team because he had played three games in a row, so he needed some mental rest and to recover his energy. "I had already spoken to the lad ," said Pirlo, who had suggested earlier in the week Szczesny would play. Only a 90th-minute Lorenzo Insigne penalty denied Buffon a clean sheet as Juve moved three points clear of their opponents, who sit in fifth - just outside the Champions League places.īut Buffon should not expect to reprise this starting role on a regular basis, despite Szczesny committing an error leading to a goal in the weekend draw with city rivals Torino. The veteran, who returned to the club from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, made three saves as strikes from team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala set the Bianconeri on their way to victory. World Cup winner Buffon, now 43, is firmly behind Szczesny in the pecking order in Turin, yet he was given a rare opportunity for the huge midweek Serie A match. Italy take on Bulgaria tonight at the Palermo’s Stadio Renzo Barbera stadium.Gianluigi Buffon proved his worth to Juventus in their vital win at Napoli on Wednesday, but Andrea Pirlo will restore Wojciech Szczesny as his first-choice goalkeeper. Italy are currently level on points with Croatia having played seven matches each, but the Croatian team has to undergo disciplinary proceedings over the unfortunate Swastika incident in the 1-1 draw against the Azzurri in June. There are many players who can play in Pirlo’s position, like Claudio Marchisio, Daniele De Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo and Mirko Valdifiori.Ī Simone Zaza can play up front with Graziano Pelle, but also with Ciro Immobile.” Speaking in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by Goal, Conte said:Ī We will evaluate who has recovered well in tomorrow’s training session.Ī Youa ll find out my line-up tomorrow evening.
However, Conte did mention that Juventus striker Simone Zaza could partner Graziano Pelle or Ciro Immobile up front.
The former Juventus manager suggested that he will take a late call on the team lineup. There are many players who can play in Pirlo’s position – Antonio Conte
The addition of Antonio Candreva sparked life into a dull Italian attack and Conte might be inclined to start Lorenzo Insigne with Candreva on the wings. Graziano Pelle scored the only goal for the Azzurri but the performance of Eder and Manolo Gabbiadini were below par to say the least. The Italians put on an unconvincing display in the win over Malta on Thursday night. Andrea Bertolacci has been ruled out of the tie and has already returned to his club to undergo further tests on the injury suffered by him in the 1-0 win over Malta. Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is set to win his 150th cap for the national team, while question marks remain over the fitness of Andrea Pirlo. Italy national team manager Antonio Conte has remained coy over the team lineup ahead of the clash against Bulgaria.
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