Feb
7
Buffon back after crazy red card
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Gianluigi Buffon returned last night for Juventus in their Serie A 1-1 draw vs. Livorno, after missing the game vs. Lazio last week due to a red card. But what a red-card it was, surely one of the best – or worst you will see all season.
He was sent off in Juve’s last home game vs. Roma in the most dramatic of fashions. With the score tied at one apiece in the 81st minute, Roma defender John Arne Riise latches on to a long ball putting him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only for the legendary Italian stops-man to go lunging in like a madman into him with studs raised outside the penalty area. It really was one amazingly bad challenge that could have bad consequences for the Norwegian, and deserved the direct sending off Buffon received.
Ironically enough, that did not help the home side at the least, as Riise not only continued the game unharmed but scored the late winning goal for Roma, which was pretty much the last nail in the coffin for Juventus coach Ciro Ferrera. It was also really the topping point of the poor season they’ve been having, after going out in the Champions League in the group stages and losing any contention over the Serie A crown this season.
They will need Buffon back and playing sanely again if they are to challenge for Europe and at least secure a Champions League spot for next season, though right now they face tough competition for those last couple of spots.