Buffon hails former Juventus nemesis Mandžukić

"This is the Mario we want," Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon told UEFA.com after Mario Mandžukić's goal took Juventus through to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with victory against Manchester City,

Having scored just twice in ten Serie A appearances since joining from Atlético Madrid in the summer, the 29-year-old striker came under fire following Saturday's 1-0 victory against AC Milan and it was a bit of a surprise when Massimiliano Allegri selected him – and not Álvaro Morata – in the starting XI for the encounter with City.

The Croatian international responded in style, not only scoring the only goal but also working hard until he was forced off with a knock in the 55th minute. "Mario was very good tonight," Buffon said. "He scored but also helped the team a lot and he worked to death to help us defend when we didn't have the ball. We thank him – this is the Mario we want."

The Bianconeri keeper had faced Mandžukić seven times at club and international level before they became team-mates, conceding three goals and never once tasting victory against the forward. So he knows all too well how Joe Hart must feel after Mandžukić beat him for the second time in as many games against City this season.

The goal in Turin allowed Juve to leapfrog the English outfit at the top of Group D and a point away to Sevilla on 8 December will confirm the Old Lady's seeding in the round of 16 draw. "It was important today because we were up against a very good side and we needed the points because we still believed in our chances of finishing first," Mandžukić said.

"Whoever scored the goal was not so important for me," he continued. "What mattered was that Juventus won, so we're all happy. It's important for everybody to finish top of the group. We always try to play better and better and to get more and more points all of the time."