Mattia Perin has acknowledged trying to emulate Gianluigi Buffon’s success at Juventus might be an impossible challenge. Iconic goalkeeper Buffon brought an end to his illustrious 17-year stay at Juve, which included nine Serie A titles and four domestic doubles, when his contract expired following the 2017-18 season. The 40-year-old will continue his career at Paris Saint-Germain, where he has signed for the upcoming campaign with an option to extend for another. When asked if Buffon’s legacy in Turin weighed on him following his €12million switch from Genoa, Italy international Perin said: “To emulate what Gigi did will be difficult, if not impossible.
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“He is the most gifted goalkeeper in football history. He is the reference point for all goalkeepers. Training with him was a privilege and an honour for me.
“I can understand his choice. Knowing him as a competitive person who likes a challenge, only a champion of his stature could accept a challenge like playing beyond 40.”
Perin will initially serve as back-up to Wojciech Szczesny, who proved his credentials by keeping 11 clean sheets in 17 Serie A appearances in 2017-18, but hopes to challenge for the starting spot under Massimiliano Allegri.
“I know that I’ll start with a disadvantage, but the competition will do Szczesny and I good,” he said.
“He had some great performances last year and has earned the place of Gigi’s successor. I will try to always train at my best and be ready when called upon.
“I’m here to improve and get involved. I do not like easy challenges and I’m here to prove my worth and play for the starting spot.”