Juventus are eager to secure victory in Genoa that would suitably commemorate the achievements of veteran Gianluigi Buffon on his 500th appearance for the Turin club, today.

Buffon, now 36, supported Genoa as a boy but has since won five Serie A titles with the Bianconeri – two more were revoked due to the Calciopoli scandal – since he joined from Parma in 2001.

And Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri, in his first year at the helm in Turin, is enjoying working with one of Italy’s all-time great players.

“He’s always decisive and that’s the difference between world-class players and normal ones,” Allegri said.

“He deals with one shot on his goal throughout an entire game, and then he is decisive. That’s the difference between Buffon and the other goalkeepers.”

Buffon kept yet another clean sheet in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Palermo.

Goals from Arturo Vidal and Fernando Llorente allowed Juve to re-establish their three-point lead at the top of the standings after second-placed Roma were held to a 0-0 draw by Sampdoria.

“It was an important win because we were able to extend our lead over Roma,” Allegri added.

“Now we must continue down this path and try to give our all in Genoa.”

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