Buffon sets record as Juve continue title march

Goalkeeper goes 836 minutes without conceding in 2-0 win over Atalanta

ROME: Juventus stayed on course for a fifth straight Serie A title by maintaining their three-point lead with a 2-0 win at Atalanta on Sunday that saw Gianluigi Buffon reach 836 minutes without conceding a goal, a record in the three-points-for-a-win era.

Juve responded to Napoli drawing level at the top on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Chievo by taking their league unbeaten run to 17 wins in 18 and moving up to 64 points in Bergamo.

Andrea Barzagli’s 24th minute tap in and a superb solo effort from youngster Mario Lemina were enough to beat a tough but blunt home side.



“There’s still a long way to go because second and third are in touching distance. Last year we had a 14-point advantage but this year it’s only three,” said Massimiliano Allegri to Mediaset.

Captain Buffon had to deal with very little at Atalanta and now is third in the all-time clean sheet list.

Against Sassuolo on Friday he can overtake Dino Zoff, who went 903 minutes without conceding for Juventus in 1972-73.



Buffon is also within touching distance of the all-time record of 929 minutes established by AC Milan keeper Sebastiano Rossi in 1993-94.

“We’re not even thinking about his record. What matters is making sure  that we finish a point  ahead of everyone else,” insisted Allegri.



Inter Milan kept pace with the pack in the race for Champions League qualification after easily seeing off Palermo 3-1 to win for just the fourth time in 2016.

They are two behind Fiorentina and five behind third-placed Roma, who walloped Paulo Sousa’s Viola 4-1 on Friday. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2016.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.