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.
league appearances in Bianconero!
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 9, 2018
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.
Penalty for a handball originally called against @chiellini is rescinded by VAR! #FiorentinaJuve pic.twitter.com/Djm2poohsO
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) February 9, 2018
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.
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