Italy goalkeeper Marco Amelia hopes his recent performances go some way to silencing those who say there are no alternatives to first choice number 1 Gianluigi Buffon.

Statistics seem to back up Zoff's claim. Looking at the top-four clubs, only Gianluigi Buffon is the first choice Italian.

Inter have Julio Cesar, Milan stick with Nelson Dida and Roma have Cristiano Doni, and even Fiorentina has Frenchman Sebastian Frey.

Italy's second choice is Marco Amelia of Palermo and he is not getting UEFA Cup or Champions League football which is essential in becoming a top custodian in terms of international experience.

Zoff, who won the 1982 World Cup with La Nazionale, believes more should be done about the 'Keeping crisis.

"There are no good goalkeepers after Buffon," said Zoff.

"I have not seen any new, emerging young goalkeepers for over a year now and this shows a lack of Italian schools for this role."

Zoff made 112 appearances for the Azzurri. Marco Amelia is 26 and it will be sometime before he gets a regular starting role if and when Buffon is fully fit.

Siena's Gianluca Curci is also a future possibility for the but Zoff's main concern is that there is no-one of Buffon's high standard ready to come in and do the job.

Italy has always had a great goalkeeping tradition but the tendancy to rely on the Juventus man over the years has seen the importance of the position being neglected.