Parma goalkeeper Gigi Buffon plays his 50th game at San Siro this evening, 25 years after his Coppa Italia debut and just days before his 45th birthday. This happens in Parma's game against Inter Milan in the Italian Cup, the first half of which ended with his team's lead 1-0. This will be the 50th different time that Buffon has played at Milan's Giuseppe Meazza stadium, both at the club and international level. The former Juventus and Italy star are playing out the final stretch of his career at Parma, where it all began. After a period out with injury, he returned to the fold against Inter - and made a stunning save to deny Edin Dzeko, sending the game to extra time in the process. Unfortunately, plucky Parma was eventually vanquished courtesy of a Francesco Acerbi goal in the additional period.
This will be the 50th different time that Buffon has played at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan at both club and international levels. The former Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Italy shot-stopper also made his Coppa Italia debut 25 years and 129 days ago, in Venezia-Parma on September 3, 1997. Buffon returned to his first club despite them being in Serie B and is now starting in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 tie just days short of his 45th birthday, which will be on January 28.
The goalkeeper waved to the fans in the stands, although some Inter supporters also jeered him during the warm-up, no doubt a familiar experience for the ex-Juve hero.