Buffon a doubt after limping out of training
telegraph
Buffon a doubt after limping out of training
World Cup 2014: boost for England as Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon limps out of training
Italy's veteran goalkeeper Gianliuigi Buffon quits final training session in Manaus after twisting his ankle
Italy suffered an injury scare on the eve of today's opening World Cup Group D match against England when veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon limped out of their final training session.
Coach Cesare Prandelli confirmed that Buffon - who is due to play in his fifth World Cup - had twisted his ankle on the pitch in Manaus but did not blame the controversial surface which has come under scrutiny.
"He twisted his ankle very lightly," Prandelli said before claiming the 36-year-old, who is due to win a 141st cap, would be fit to face England.
"It is nothing serious but, yes, he left training early and, yes, is having treatment."
Nevertheless Buffon had been due to attend the pre-match press conference alongside Prandelli but returned to the Italy team hotel for treatment instead - with sources suggesting the twist may be more serious than claimed.
Although the coach played down the injury concerns it would be a severe blow if Italy were to lose Buffon who Prandelli said is a "symbol" for Italian football along with Andrea Pirlo who also has more than a century of caps.
If Buffon was ruled out it is likely that Prandelli will turn to his understudy Salvatore Sirigu who plays for Paris Saint-Germain. The 27-year-old has eight caps for Italy.
Of equal concern to Prandelli is what he said the "four really, really good attacking players" England have. He did not name any names but admitted he
was worried about the pace Roy Hodgson's side possess in attack - including the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck although Raheem Sterling is expected to be on the bench.
"They have personality and psychological strengths," Prandelli said of England. "They are full of running and pace and have lots of players with real technical ability with attackers who able to use the space available to them. We are going to have to control the midfield and that will be the key."
Prandelli dismissed the fact that Italy had knocked England out of Euro 2012 on penalties just two years ago and said this would not have a bearing on today's match.
"When you go to a Word Cup you go back to square one," he said. "History does not matter. Two years ago we won on penalities in the Euros but this England team is a different team who have changed their style and changed many players.
"We know they are very well organized and don't count only on their physical strengths but their technical ability. They have four (attacking) players who are really, really good."
Interestingly the Italians claim that the local population in Manaus will be backing them over England - because of their involvement in last year's Confederations Cup when they also played in the fascinating Amazonian city.
"Since we arrived here the Brazilians have been reminding us of the Confederations Cup last year and they know that we played here so they are following us with great enthusiasm," Prandelli said. "We have seen the opening games (of the World Cup) and lots of goals and of course we have seen lots of changes of pace and that was been in the same in the games last year."
Mario Balotelli, in particular, has become a local favourite and he was mobbed outside the team hotel and following training. Prandelli insisted that he had not settled on the XI who will face England and said it was "good to have some lingering doubts" until the day of the game.
World Cup 2014: boost for England as Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon limps out of training
Italy's veteran goalkeeper Gianliuigi Buffon quits final training session in Manaus after twisting his ankle
Italy suffered an injury scare on the eve of today's opening World Cup Group D match against England when veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon limped out of their final training session.
Coach Cesare Prandelli confirmed that Buffon - who is due to play in his fifth World Cup - had twisted his ankle on the pitch in Manaus but did not blame the controversial surface which has come under scrutiny.
"He twisted his ankle very lightly," Prandelli said before claiming the 36-year-old, who is due to win a 141st cap, would be fit to face England.
"It is nothing serious but, yes, he left training early and, yes, is having treatment."
Nevertheless Buffon had been due to attend the pre-match press conference alongside Prandelli but returned to the Italy team hotel for treatment instead - with sources suggesting the twist may be more serious than claimed.
Although the coach played down the injury concerns it would be a severe blow if Italy were to lose Buffon who Prandelli said is a "symbol" for Italian football along with Andrea Pirlo who also has more than a century of caps.
If Buffon was ruled out it is likely that Prandelli will turn to his understudy Salvatore Sirigu who plays for Paris Saint-Germain. The 27-year-old has eight caps for Italy.
Of equal concern to Prandelli is what he said the "four really, really good attacking players" England have. He did not name any names but admitted he
was worried about the pace Roy Hodgson's side possess in attack - including the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck although Raheem Sterling is expected to be on the bench.
"They have personality and psychological strengths," Prandelli said of England. "They are full of running and pace and have lots of players with real technical ability with attackers who able to use the space available to them. We are going to have to control the midfield and that will be the key."
Prandelli dismissed the fact that Italy had knocked England out of Euro 2012 on penalties just two years ago and said this would not have a bearing on today's match.
"When you go to a Word Cup you go back to square one," he said. "History does not matter. Two years ago we won on penalities in the Euros but this England team is a different team who have changed their style and changed many players.
"We know they are very well organized and don't count only on their physical strengths but their technical ability. They have four (attacking) players who are really, really good."
Interestingly the Italians claim that the local population in Manaus will be backing them over England - because of their involvement in last year's Confederations Cup when they also played in the fascinating Amazonian city.
"Since we arrived here the Brazilians have been reminding us of the Confederations Cup last year and they know that we played here so they are following us with great enthusiasm," Prandelli said. "We have seen the opening games (of the World Cup) and lots of goals and of course we have seen lots of changes of pace and that was been in the same in the games last year."
Mario Balotelli, in particular, has become a local favourite and he was mobbed outside the team hotel and following training. Prandelli insisted that he had not settled on the XI who will face England and said it was "good to have some lingering doubts" until the day of the game.
