Earlier this week, Italy's fullback, Mattia De Sciglio, went down with a calf strain, which will force him to miss Saturday's opener against England. On Friday, the 'Azzurri' received even more bad news, as Gianluigi Buffon, went down with a "slight ankle sprain" according to head coach, Cesare Prandelli, that will make him miss the match against England.
Italian team doctor, Enrico Castellacci, said on Friday that Buffon had a "50 percent chance of playing" but the now confirmed loss could be detrimental for his team. The last thing Italians fans will want to hear is talk that Buffon will not be able to play against England, as he was injured for the majority of the last World Cup, and the Azzurri didn't make it out of their group in 2010.
Italy have a tremendous backup to Buffon, in Paris St-Germain's Salvatore Sirigu, but he is also nursing an injury and will have to play against England while not at 100%. Sirigu missed a few Italian training sessions this week with bruised ribs.
Italy's third goalkeeper, 21 year old Mattia Perin of Genoa, featured in Italy's 5-3 win over Fluminense last Sunday, but lacks international experience.
Source: Soccerly.com
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