Legendary Italian goalkeper Gianluigi Buffon has been ruled out of his country 's important Euro 2016 qualifier against Bulgaria on Satuday night with flu and is a doubt for their friendly against England in Turin on Tuesday . Buffon , 37 , was left back at his hotel as his team-mates arrived at the National Stadium in Sofia with Paris St Germain No1 Salvatore Sirigu named in Antonio Conte 's starting XI . The Azzurri will be skippered in Buffon 's absence by Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini , famous for being the victim of Luis Suarez 's bite at last summer 's World Cup . Gianluigi Buffon has been ruled out of Italy 's crucial European Championships qualifier against Bulgaria . The legendary Italian goalkeeper has flu and may also miss Tuesday 's match against England in Turin . Buffon 's illness is the latest piece of bad news for Conte who has been blamed by Juventus fans for over-training his players and causing midfielder Claudio Marchisio to sprain his knee in training on Friday . Marchisio is ruled out for an estimated two weeks though earlier reports that he had suffered knee ligament damage appear exaggerated . Conte received death threats on the internet following Marchisio 's injury according to the Italian federation president Carlo Tavecchio . Buffon was all set to start in goal on Saturday night , but has now pulled out through illness . The news comes as a further blow to Italy manager Antonio Conte , who has received death threats this week . Italy are unbeaten in six matches under former Juventus coach Conte since he replaced Cesare Prandelli after the World Cup . They have 10 points from four matches and hot favourites to qualify from their group for the finals alongside Croatia or Norway .
coach Gianluigi ##ni has pulled out of turkey 's qualifier vs Bulgaria . he has flu and could also miss Tuesday 's match against turkey . The 37-year - old 's injury means Salvatore Sirigu will start against Bulgaria . Antonio ##o has suffered a difficult build - up , receiving death threats from Juventus fans who claim he over - trained his players .