Departing Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has jumped to the defence of coach Andrea Pirlo.

Like Buffon, Pirlo is also expected to leave Juve at the end of this season after a disappointing title defence this term.

But veteran keeper Buffon insists, "He came at a very difficult historical moment, after so many years comes the moment of renewal. Any other coach in Andrea's place wouldn't have done better.

"You are not 20 years at Juve without understanding and smelling the sensations that are there. After 20 years of Juve I had perceived that this year would be a very difficult situation because in sport it is inevitable that after so many years there will come a moment of renewal when you have to pay duty."

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