Time for keepers to suit up and be superheroes

“Even Superman is sometimes just Clark Kent” said the banner held up by Juventus fans on Saturday after a troubled 10 days for Gigi Buffon.

Italy’s legendary goalkeeper — he’s 39 in January — had blundered to allow Spain to score in their World Cup qualifier, and also looked uncomfortable against Macedonia, when he was beaten twice in three minutes.

Back in club colours at the weekend, he made a hash of a ground shot against Udinese, diving late over a ball he would normally have hoped to stop or deflect past the post.