Buffon hits 1,000 mark

GIANLUIGI BUFFON will play his 1,000th game when Italy face Albania in a World Cup qualifier tonight. The Italy and Juventus goalkeeper, 39, who has previously joked he will retire when he is 65, was giving little away about his future before the match in Palermo. “As far as I’m concerned, it will be a great achievement and the only assurance I can give is that there will not be another thousand,” he said with a smile. Asked if he might retire after the 2018 World Cup, he added: “I don’t know, I just have to think about the upcoming games.” Buffon’s landmark appearance will come in a World Cup qualifier which Italy need to win as the battle at the top of Group G remains fierce. Italy are level on 10 points with leaders Spain, who will be facing an Israel side one point worse off in third place. “We have great respect for Albania and that is not just rhetoric,” said Buffon. “In the last two years they have done very well.”

GLOVE AFFAIR Buffon is set to reach huge landmark