Buffon Senses Juventus 'Advantage' Over Milan and Passes the Goalkeeping Torch to Vicario

When Gianluigi Buffon talks, Italian football listens. The iconic goalkeeper, whose shot-stopping mastery carried Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, has delivered his verdict on one of Serie A's most explosive fixtures — and he likes what he sees from his beloved Juventus. As reported by Football Italia, Buffon believes the Bianconeri carry 'an advantage' into their showdown with AC Milan, a fixture that has helped define Italian football for generations. While both giants have navigated periods of transition in recent seasons, the former Juventus captain's assessment suggests the Turin club are better placed to seize the moment when the two sides collide. Buffon's connection to the rivalry runs deep. Across 19 trophy-laden years in Turin, he faced Milan in countless high-stakes encounters, from Serie A title races to Champions League finals. Few figures in the modern game understand the psychological dynamics between Italy's two most decorated clubs quite like the man who made more than 650 appearances for the Old Lady. But it was not only the Juventus-Milan narrative that had Buffon talking. The 2006 world champion also opened up about his relationship with Guglielmo Vicario, revealing the guidance he passed on to the shot-stopper following his move from Tottenham, per Football Italia. Vicario, who built a reputation as one of the most dependable keepers in the Premier League during his time in north London, is now adapting to the unique pressures of the Italian spotlight — and Buffon has been on hand to help smooth the transition. The mentorship carries significance well beyond club football. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Italy's goalkeeping succession remains a live debate, and Vicario is firmly in the conversation to wear the Azzurri's No. 1 shirt in North America next summer. Who better to prepare him than the man who lifted the trophy in Berlin two decades ago? Buffon, who has remained closely involved in the Italian national team setup since hanging up his gloves, has long championed the development of the country's next generation of goalkeepers. His willingness to share the mental frameworks that sustained him across a career spanning three decades underscores why he is still regarded as one of football's most authoritative voices. For Juventus supporters, Buffon's confidence will feel like a good omen. For Milanisti, it may read as a warning. And for Vicario, it represents the latest chapter in an education administered by arguably the greatest goalkeeper Italy has ever produced. As the season unfolds and the World Cup countdown accelerates, Buffon's fingerprints remain visible across Italian football — from Turin to Coverciano and far beyond.