Italy will have to start the World Cup without their Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon after he twisted his ankle on Friday night.
Italian coach, Cesare Prandelli, said Buffon twisted his ankle on the controversial field in Manaus, but he did not blame the field for the injury, the Telegraph reports.
“He twisted his ankle very lightly,” he said. “It is nothing serious but, yes he left training early, and yes, is having treatment.”
Italy has two reserve goaltenders on the roster, Salvatore Sirigu of Paris Saint-Germain and Mattia Perin of Genoa, the AP reports.
Sirigu, the most likely goalie to play, started in a game with Ireland two weeks ago in a pre-World Cup warm-up match and impressed the coaching staff. He also has Champions League experience with Paris Saint-Germain.
Italy was already going to be with fullback Matta De Sciglio after he was ruled out with a strained leg muscle.
Buffon has tied the record for the most World Cups with German great Lothar Matthaus and former Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal.
In the 2006 World Cup, Buffon led Italy to the title without letting up a goal to an opponent in regulation time.