At the start of the season it was difficult not to feel a little sorry for Wojciech Szczęsny. The Polish goalkeeper joined Juventus back in the summer of 2017. He signed for the club on the understanding that he would be Gianluigi Buffon’s understudy for the final season of the Italian’s career, and would then be in pole position to replace him long-term. Although Buffon subsequently reversed his decision, he moved abroad to play for PSG for a year and during this time Szczęsny became the first choice goalkeeper in Turin. Indeed, Szczęsny played so well that he was nominated for the inaugural Yashin Trophy presented to the best performing goalkeeper.
However, last summer Buffon returned to the club. Szczęsny was amicable about his rival’s return, and he offered the Italian the number one jersey when he rejoined the Old Lady. The club legend demurred and has spent much of the season on the bench. Last week though Szczęsny suffered a muscle injury, which has ruled him out of two matches so far. In his absence, Buffon has helped Juventus win both games. In the process the 41-year-old moved ahead of Alessandro del Piero as Juve’s all-time record appearance maker on 479 matches and drew level with Paolo Maldini in the all-time Serie A appearances chart. The goalkeeper is adored by the fans and it would be understandable if Szczęsny began to wonder whether manager Maurizio Sarri will be allowing him to walk back into the first 11 immediately upon his return to fitness.
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