Gianluigi Buffon breaks 22-year record in Serie A

Mark Holmes
Gianluigi Buffon: Broke 22-year Serie A record

Gianluigi Buffon: Broke 22-year Serie A record

Gianluigi Buffon added another record to his decorated career during Juventus’ 4-1 win over local rivals Torino in Serie A on Sunday.

The 38-year-old broke the 22-year-old Serie A clean-sheet record of 929 minutes, previously held by former AC Milan goalkeeper Sebastiano Rossi, in the fourth minute of the Turin derby before Paul Pogba almost stole the headlines with a superb free-kick to give Massimiliano Allegri’s side an early lead. Sami Khedira put the league leaders 2-0 up at the break.

Buffon eventually conceded for the first time in the league since January 10 through Andrea Belotti’s penalty – with the Italy all-time record appearance holder setting a new mark of 974 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.

Despite Khedira’s late dismissal, substitute Alvaro Morata made sure of the points with a brace as the Biancineri eased their midweek Champions League heartache to extend their unbeaten league run to 20 games.

Higuain scores twice

Elsewhere, Gonzalo Higuain struck twice as Napoli came from behind to beat Genoa 3-1 at the Stadio San Paolo to keep their title hopes alive with Omar El Kaddouri adding a third.

Tomas Rincon’s first-half strike handed the visitors a shock lead but they suffered their first defeat in three games, while the win sees Napoli close the gap to three points behind Juve.

Sassuolo’s faint hopes of qualifying for Europe have all but ended despite coming from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at home to strugglers Udinese.

Duvan Zapata scored his sixth goal of the campaign to give the visitors a first-half lead before Federico Peluso set up Matteo Politano to head home after 64 minutes.

The results means the Neroverdi remain seventh, 10 points off fifth-placed Inter Milan, while Udinese are now four points above the relegation zone.

Goals from Antonio Di Gaudio and Kevin Lasagna helped Carpi move out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win at 10-man Hellas Verona.

Artur Ionita equalised early in the second-half for the hosts as Ante Rebic saw red in the last minute of normal time.

Fiorentina climbed into fourth as they were held to a goalless draw at Frosinone to leave Paolo Sousa’s men above Inter on goal difference, while the hosts remain 19th.

Atalanta recorded their first victory in 15 games to potentially save manager Edy Reja’s job thanks to goals from Alejandro Gomez and Alessandro Diamanti as they defeated nine-man Bologna 2-0. Ibrahima Mbaye and Daniele Gastaldello were both dismissed late on as the Rossoblu remain 10th.

Meanwhile, Riccardo Meggiorini’s first-half winner lifted Chievo into ninth after their 1-0 victory over Sampdoria.

Lazio’s Europa League hopes hit

Lazio’s hopes of qualifying for the Europa League have all but ended following a 1-1 draw against AC Milan at the San Siro.

Stefano Pioli’s men took the lead through Marco Parolo, but the home side were level before the break through Carlos Bacca’s strike.

Senad Lulic was sent off for a second booking with six minutes of the game remaining but Lazio held on for their eighth away draw of the season.

AC Milan are now six points off the last Europa League spot.