Marchisio: Buffon key to victory

Posted Monday, November 21, 2011 by ESPN

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has credited goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for helping the club move to the top of Serie A on Sunday.

The veteran shot-stopper played a crucial role for the Old Lady in their 3-0 win over Palermo in Turin.

Buffon denied Palermo on several occasions to allow Juve to take the half-time lead through Simone Pepe before second half goals from Alessandro Matri and Marchisio sealed the lopsided victory.

"We gave a lot in the first half, but we weren't able to double our lead," Marchisio told the club's official website.

"Gigi [Buffon] had to help us out with two important saves and did so in brilliant fashion.

"Our aim was to go back to the top of the league with a game in hand. It would be great to add six more points to our tally in the upcoming games against Lazio and Napoli.

"However, Saturday versus Lazio will be tough. They have two fine strikers in [Miroslav] Klose and [Djibril] Cisse and are on great form. In any case, we'll go there for the three points."
Antonio Conte's team remain the league's only unbeaten side.

Udinese missed their chance to go top of Serie A following a shock 2-0 defeat at Parma on Sunday.