23 May 2013
Ever-reliable Bianconeri goalkeeper Gigi Buffon enjoyed another stellar campaign between the posts, inspiring his team-mates to a second successive Scudetto triumph and a memorable run in the Champions League.
Now the permanent custodian of the captain’s armband following last season’s departure of Alessandro Del Piero, Buffon relished his new leadership responsibilities and once again provided a reassuring presence in front of Serie A’s most watertight defence.
Having stepped aside to allow dependable understudy Marco Storari a run of games once the Scudetto was guaranteed, Gigi featured in a total of 2880 minutes throughout the championship season, a figure bettered only by Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Andrea Pirlo.
A closer look at the statistics proves the 35-year-old is fully deserving of his billing as the league’s top goalkeeper, conceding in just half of his 32 appearances, whilst also commanding a shots-to-saves percentage of 79.12%.
But Antonio Conte’s mantra of total football means keeping opposition strikers at bay isn’t Buffon’s solitary contribution to the game plan.
Noteworthy distribution stats have also been recorded, with the shotstopper completing 304 of his attempted 378 passes over the course of the term - a success rate of 79.9%.
And with Buffon’s top displays mirroring his exemplary example set to all, Juventus moved to extend his successful 12-year stay in Turin by agreeing terms on a two-year contract extension until 2015, ensuring the team’s future will continue to remain in safe hands.
