MANAUS, Brazil (AP) – Salvatore Sirigu will start in goal for Italy in the Group D match against England today after Gianluigi Buffon injured his ankle in training.
The Paris-Saint Germain goalkeeper will be playing in only his ninth match for the national team in their World Cup opener.
Mario Balotelli was also in Italy’s starting 11.
For England, 19-year-old Raheem Sterling was starting in an attack-minded line-up with Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge.
England: Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Steven Gerrard, Ross Henderson, Wayne Rooney, Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge.
Italy: Salvatore Sirigu, Giorgio Chiellini, Matteo Darmian, Antonio Candreva, Claudio Marchisio, Mario Balotelli, Andrea Barzagli, Daniele De Rossi, Gabriel Paletta, Andrea Pirlo, Marco Verratti.
