Gigi Buffon Is Superman Once Again for Juventus Against Lyon

Asked about criticism of his recent performances on Mediaset show Tiki Taka, Gigi Buffon offered a swift response. “I live to make them eat their rash words,” the Juventus and Italy captain said (h/t Football Italia), and on Tuesday night at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais he did just that.

Faced with a Lyon side who had lost four of their last five fixtures, the Italian giants—who have tasted defeat just once this term—should have dominated. But while the 1-0 UEFA Champions League win recorded by the Bianconeri appears routine, it was anything but.

Indeed, throughout the first months of 2016/17, coach Massimiliano Allegri’s men have become specialists in making life difficult for themselves, yet they continually emerge victorious. Their previous game was a 2-1 win at home against Udinese that saw them fall behind to a Jakub Jankto strike, with Buffon taking much of the blame for allowing that goal.

Udinese takes a shock 0-1 lead. Buffon needs to do better on that. Uncharacteristic mistake by the Azzurri legend. pic.twitter.com/QGzN6jELrK

— Stereo Serie A Radio (@StereoSerieA) October 15, 2016

Letting the Czech Republic midfielder’s effort squirm under his body, the 38-year-old’s error came just days after his blunder for Italy against Spain. In that match he ran out of his area to make a clearance, completely missing the ball and allowing Vitolo to score in what was eventually a 1-1 draw.

In between his two mistakes, Buffon was awarded the Golden Foot in Monaco and told reporters he would not discuss his performances. “In this job you accept criticism and give answers on the field,” he said per Goal, with Juve’s disjointed performance in Lyon giving him the perfect opportunity to do just that.

There were 34 minutes on the clock when Leonardo Bonucci tangled with Mouctar Diakhaby at a corner, the defender booked as the French side were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Alexandre Lacazette, but Buffon dived the right way and pulled off the save to keep his team in the tie.

BUFFON YOU LEGEND!!!! SAVES LACAZETTE’S PENALTY KICKTHOUGHT HE LOST IT THO?!?! 🤔🤔🤔😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Wo2cHDdQFd

— ItalianFootballTV (@IFTV_Official) October 18, 2016

It was a stop that sucked the confidence from the Lyon striker but failed to inspire Juventus, whose best chance of the first half came from a surprisingly powerful Gonzalo Higuain header from the edge of the box.

After the break, the game became much more open. Fouls began to be committed all over the pitch, but few clear chances were created until Nabil Fekir turned past Dani Alves and prepared to shoot.

Just 12 yards out, he seemed certain to score as Buffon dived low and to his right. Coming across to cover, Bonucci was too late to block the shot and could only deflect it. …

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