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Gianluigi Buffon, a legend of the game, set another milestone on Friday. The Italian goalkeeper made his 500th league appearance for the Bianconeri in a 2-0 win for Juventus vs Fiorentina at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Buffon also had a clean sheet — thanks to a little help from VAR and the woodwork.
Juventus claimed its 11th straight victory on Friday. The Old Lady hasn’t lost since Nov. 19, a run of 16 matches without defeat. Of those 16 matches, 15 included shutouts, with Buffon showing no signs of slowing down having recently turned 40. That said, he was a bit fortunate to escape with another clean sheet for Juventus vs Fiorentina on Friday.
In the first half, Fiorentina thought it had earned a penalty kick when Giorgio Chiellini blocked a cross with his hand (probably accidentally). The referee pointed to the spot, but after a lengthy delay, VAR ruled that there was an offside infringement prior to the cross going into the box.
Buffon is an expert at stopping shots from all angles, even penalty kicks, but he dodged a bullet on this one.
Late in the first half, Portuguese winger Gil Dias beat Buffon with a powerful shot on a breakaway. However, the ball struck the post and rebounded safely into Buffon’s arms.
An unfriendly angle keeps Gil Dias off the scoresheet. @acffiorentina and @juventusfcen still in search of an opener. #FiorentinaJuve pic.twitter.com/2lp0sGzgpX
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 9, 2018
Juventus eventually took the lead early in the second half when Federico Bernadeschi, a former Fiorentina star, struck a brilliant free kick from just outside the area into the back of the net. You kind of feel like Buffon might have saved it, though.
GOOOAAAL: No problem celebrating against the former club for @fbernardeschi! The ex-@acffiorentina man gives @juventusfcen the lead. #FiorentinaJuve pic.twitter.com/dmSbq8A8OO
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 9, 2018
Federico Bernadeschi was subbed off after scoring for Juventus vs Fiorentina, his former team. Photo: @ForzaJuve2017 | Twitter
Gonzalo Higuain then put the match away with a confident finish after being played in behind the defense by Chiellini.
GOOOAAAL: @G_Higuain escapes the offside trap, and @juventusfcen double their lead! #FiorentinaJuve pic.twitter.com/yV6D666XT7
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 9, 2018
The victory for Juventus vs Fiorentina put the Bianconeri top of the Serie A standings, two points ahead of Napoli, which will play Lazio on Saturday. The Old Lady keeps marching on, and with Buffon in goal they’ll keep giving Netflix plenty to document.
