Buffon to make season’s debut appearance in front of Reggina

Juventus head coach Fabio Capello announced that goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will make his first Italian league appearance of the season in his side’s match against Reggina.

“Gigi will play from the start. I saw him working well in training and he seems to be back on track. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t return,” Italian magazine Football Italia quoted Capello as saying on Saturday.

Buffon underwent a shoulder operation after going into a rough tackle with Kaka and suffered a toe problem for the rest of the season, making only a few appearances in the Coppa Italia.

Nevertheless, the talented shot-stopper regained his previous form after intensive solo training and put on a great performance in Juve’s Coppa Italia 4-1 victory over Fiorentina, pushing Capello to reconsider fielding him in their coming league games.

The sudden outstanding display of skills in the Fiorentina encounter will mean that on-loan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati from AC Milan will lose his permanent spot in the team.

“I have already spoken to Buffon and will discuss the situation with Christian Abbiati this evening. Christian has done great things for us and I hope he’ll continue with that form. From now on, there will be room for everyone,” added the coach.

On another hand, Juve veteran striker Alessandro Del Piero will hold a special celebration in the Reggina encounter after being named the club’s all-time top-scorer with a tally of 185 goals.

“It will be great for Del Piero to celebrate becoming Juve’s all-time top scorer in front of the home fans,” Capello insisted.