Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon was hailed as the best goalkeeper of all time by his manager Massimiliano Allegri after a superb display to defy Manchester City.

Buffon produced a number of brilliant saves as his side came from behind to win their Champions League Group D opener 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

The 37-year-old Italy veteran denied Raheem Sterling early on, saved from the same man and David Silva in quick succession in the second half and also thwarted Wilfried Bony.

He was beaten when Giorgio Chiellini turned into his own net just before the hour but Juve responded to win with fine goals from strikers Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata.

Juve boss Allegri said: “Buffon pulled off many miraculous saves, particularly just after we went 1-0 down.

“I hope he will go on for as long as possible, certainly as long as I am manager. Buffon is an extraordinary goalkeeper, perhaps the best ever in the history of football. He never fails.”

For City, the story was a familiar one. The club have consistently failed to transpose their brilliant domestic form onto the European stage and, despite optimism abounding after five successive Premier League wins without conceding, again they fell short.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini said his side didn’t deserve to lose.

“I think it was a strange game. I don’t think we deserved to lose. We played better than Juventus and we had three clear opportunities to score,” he said.

“Buffon made some very good saves but I think we were unlucky, especially for the first goal.”

For Juve, victory was their first of the season after two defeats and a draw in their opening three Serie A games.