Serie A

Buffon needs surgery but struggles on

Yesterday we wrote that Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio could be out for up to a month after injuring his right knee in training with Italy.

Now comes news from the Italian camp that Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is playing with damaged meniscus in his left knee and that surgery is unavoidable.

Buffon is hoping to play through the pain until after the crucial Serie A meeting with Inter Milan on 5 December and their final UEFA Champions League Group A contest against FC Bayern München three days later.

“I have a damaged meniscus and I need to undergo surgery but now I can’t as there are important games in the UEFA Champions League,” said the custodian following Italy’s 2-2 draw away to the Republic of Ireland that sealed the Azzurri a place in next summer’s FIFA World Cup finals. “I will carry on as long as possible – I hope until the game against Inter.”