England 's opponents in next week 's friendly , Italy , have the best defence in Europe and the statistics prove it . Having shipped four goals in 14 games , Italy , who face Bulgaria in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday before hosting Roy Hodgson 's side on Tuesday , have the meanest rearguard in Europe in terms of goals conceded in this qualifying competition and its predecessor . With next best England having let in six goals in 12 games , Azzurri defender Leonardo Bonucci said on Thursday that is clear that when it comes to shutting out the opposition , Italy are the best in the business . Leonardo Bonucci trains with the Italy squad ahead of their games against Bulgaria and England . Bonucci says his Italian defence , with Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini , is the best in the world . ' I believe so , ' Juventus and Italy defender Bonucci told a news conference . ' I do n't want to sound boastful but ( Gianluigi ) Buffon ( Giorgio ) Chiellini , ( Andrea ) Barzagli and myself are the best when you 're talking about international competition . 'The numbers do n't lie . ' With Barzagli recently returning to fitness , Italy coach Antonio Conte can field the same defenders that helped him win three league titles in his previous role as Juventus manager . ' I 'm very happy that Andrea ( Barzagli ) is back . We 've been playing together forever and this helps , ' Bonucci said . 'Especially , when we are a back three , I can lead them in pressuring opponents and they know that I 'll be a few steps behind and help out , if they need me . ' Italy visit Bulgaria on Saturday , where they have not won in five previous attempts . England managed to score once against the Italians at the World Cup , but still ended up losing in Manaus . Bonucci says having his Juventus team-mates together in international football is an advantage . Buffon and Chiellini have been two key players for Juventus and Italy for many years . 'Our attitude is to try to dictate play and put pressure on them starting in their own end but we 'll have to be careful as their counterattack is dangerous , ' Bonucci said . Italy are second to Croatia on goal difference in Group H on 10 points and have conceded two goals in four games . Conte , who replaced Cesare Prandelli after last year 's disappointing World Cup campaign in which Italy failed to make it out of the group stage , is , according to Bonucci , meticulous in his attention to detail . Andrea Barzagli ( right ) returns for Italy after an injury layoff , and will offer even more stability . Antonio Conte worked with the Juventus back three , and Buffon , for several years , and is now Italy boss . The coach has his players sit through two hours of video every morning , where he goes over past games and talks about upcoming matches . 'The boss is a very charismatic person , ' Bonucci said . 'He prepares each game in minute detail . 'As soon as we got here he showed us our last two matches ( against Croatia and Albania ) and not a day went by , when he was at Juve , in which he did not have us watching recorded games . ' I believe it 's very helpful to look at what you did in the past and learn from it . '
Italy have conceded just 12 times in last 14 games . England are the next best in Europe , with six goals against in four games . Leonardo Bonucci says his side have the best back 12 in the world . Roy Hodgson 's team travel to Italy for a friendly on Tuesday .