World Champion and Italy goalkeeper Gigi Buffon celebrates 24 years since his Serie A debut. In fact, on November 19, 1995 Buffon, with the Parma shirt, enters the field to replace the injured Luca Bucci. That Parma - Milan marks the beginning of the career of an Italian champion.

Buffon 2006 World Champion
"Gianluigi Buffon" by duysafari is under-licensed CC BY-SA 2.0 

Buffon's choice as owner

Sunday 19 November 1995, al Tardini you play a championship game. To tell the truth it is an important match. In fact, the Milan di Fabio Capello. Considering the value of the opponent, to defend Parma's goal you need a great player Luca bucci. But the starting goalkeeper was injured on Tuesday in training. During the whole week coach Nevius Scala, coach of that Parma, Alessandro Nista notes in particular. The second goalkeeper of the team is not the only one to be observed. In fact, there is also a seventeen-year-old boy joined by the youth academies. Gianluigi Buffon is the goalkeeper that coach Nista observes.

Buffon's first match in Serie A
November 19, 1995, the adventure in Serie A begins for a still minor Gigi Buffon.
Author: Allsport / Getty Images License: Public domain

To tell the truth, to dispel any doubts, Nista relies on Enzo DiPalma. The goalkeeper coach who during the week especially observes how nobody manages to score against Buffon in training. Similarly, the coach also notices that little boy who looks like a very talented goalkeeper. In the end it was decided to take a risk and try Gigi Buffon. In fact, that Sunday against Milan there is Buffon in goal for the first time.

Buffon made his debut on November 19, 1995

Gigi, a young man not yet of age finds himself playing against Roberto Baggio e George Weah. Considering that it is Milan that will win the Scudetto at the end of the season, it is also the team coached by Fabio Capello. From a name point of view, AC Milan is a team that makes your legs tremble in Italy as well as in Europe. But despite the opponent's caliber, Buffon does not let himself be intimidated. On the contrary, Gigi makes two decisive saves on the pitch and saves the result, a 0-0 final. But even more important than the result is the fact that Buffon leaves the pitch as Parma's best player. Furthermore Fabio Capello at the end of the match he comments saying that the lack of victory is due to Buffon's presence in goal. In other words, from that day the Serie A meets a new star, that of Gianluigi Buffon.

The young Gigi Buffon grew up and trained in Parma Calcio

Purchased from Parma at the age of 13 for 15 million lire, the young Buffon begins his adventure. The world of football tries him first as a midfielder then, at 14, he discovers his skills as a goalkeeper. In fact, since that moment, Buffon has steadily maintained the position of extreme defender. At the same time, the young man Gigi he grows in the yellow and blue under the guidance of Hermes Fulgoni. The goalkeeper coach is above all a teacher for Buffon.

Friendly match of Italy in Parma
In 1998 Gigi Buffon played a friendly match with Italy at the Tardini, the stadium that saw him make his debut in 1995.
Author: unknown License: Public domain

The debut in Serie A took place on November 19, 1995 against Milan as a substitute for the starting goalkeeper, Luca Bucci. The goalkeeper was injured this week and the coach Nevius Scala he chose Buffon, still a minor because he was impressed by his qualities. On the other hand, in the match against Milan the young goalkeeper was one of the best on the pitch. In fact, the following Sunday Buffon still plays in the match with Juventus. In that game, however, he collects his first goal from Ciro Ferrara. The match ends, however, 1-1.

Gigi Buffon celebrates 24 years since his Serie A debut last edit: 2019-11-19T09:00:59+01:00 da Angelo Franchitto

Post comments