Both goalkeepers boast of very impressive statistics but who will be tested the most on Wednesday?

Despite a lethargic start to life in the 2017/2018 football season, Juventus has hit a purple patch in recent times. The 2017 UEFA Champions League finalist come into Tuesday’s fixture with Spurs on the back of a 16-game unbeaten run. A notable piece of stat attached to this impressive feat is that the Old Ladies have conceded just once in all these games and their veteran shot-stopper Gianluigi Buffon and his formidable defenders are to thank for.

On the domestic front, Buffon has featured in 12 of the 24 games played by Juventus and has successfully accumulated seven clean sheets in the process. The Bianconeri skipper boasts of an impressive 0.8 ratio with regard the goals he’s conceded so far and has an imposing 74% saves to his name in Serie A. Relatively, Hugo Lloris’s discipline in post for Spurs has seen him racking up 11 clean sheets, 68% save successes and has an average of 0.9 goals conceded in 25 matches. 

In contrast, Buffon has an edge over Lloris on the domestic front but perusing their exploits in the Champions League, it is the French goalkeeper who has something little to smile about. With an average rating of 7.34 by SofaScore, the 31-year-old shot-stopper so far has an 84% save success to his name. Lloris, who faced the likes of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and APOEL FC, further boasts of 0.8 in goals conceded and a single clean sheet in the five group-stage games he played in.

Buffon, on the other hand, made just 58% successful saves, kept two clean sheets and averaged a goal in five group-stage matches which featured the likes of Barcelona, Olympiacos, and Sporting Lisbon. Consequently, it will be interesting how these two goalkeepers will fare on opposite sides with arguably the best attacking and defensive forces in Europe this season. 

On one side of the spectrum is the Tottenham brigade complimenting the efforts of free-scoring Harry Kane. The England striker has netted 36 times in 37 outings this season, including his six goals in five UEFA Champions League games. The forward is expected to put a few past the aging Gigi Buffon considering the kind of form he’s in at the moment.

On the flip side, Buffon will possibly expect the likes of Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain to return the favor should the opportunity present itself. Statistics may be in Lloris’s favor but knowing the potency of this duo, his numbers could suffer a downgrade after the final whistle. Game on now!