Italy's Second-String Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu Takes Spotlight While Gianluigi Buffon is Injured

— -- Italian goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu will make his World Cup debut today against England after starting goalkeeper Gigi Buffon suffered an injury during training.

Sirigu, 27, has some rather large shoes to fill after the star goalie and team captain Buffon twisted an ankle in practice, Italian coach Cesare Prandelli said. Sirigu's made eight appearances for Italy.

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Sirigu stands at 6'3" and 174 pounds, similar to Buffon's 6'3", 183 pounds, though Sirigu is years younger than Buffon's 36.

But Sirigu is no rookie either.

After playing for Palermo football club in Italy, he joined Paris St-Germain football club in France in 2011 and has won two league titles there. While he was included in the 2010 World Cup squad in South Africa, he didn't play.

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“Buffon really has something extra. It would be a mistake to compare him to me,” Sirigu said, The Guardian reported. “For us Italians, he is the model goalkeeper. Having said that, I have studied lots of other keepers, even ones in lower divisions. When I was a child there were photos of Buffon, Toldo, Pagliuca and Peruzzi but also Chilavert and Barthez. I’m just making my way and I would like to be able to look back at the end of my career and say I did my best.”

Buffon tweeted, "“There are so many ways to be important, even if you are not a starter on the pitch … so … go on Salvatore … come on my magical guys … FORZA ITALY, my great love!” ESPN reported.