Stopper hopes Buffon recovers as Simone Pepe questions quality of star teams at the tournament...

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has expressed concern over Gianluigi Buffon's sciatic nerve injury, but hopes the goalkeeper avoids missing the tournament, which remains a distinct possibility, according to reports.
Buffon had a scan in Pretoria on Wednesday morning and, while the Italians kept quiet, Azzurri team doctor Enrico Castellacci is expected to give an update later.
Chiellini hopes news from the treatment room is not serious.
"I am sorry for Gigi. We know his values, and working with him every day I understand what the World Cup means to him," Chiellini told the press.
"We hope that it is nothing serious and that he can return."
Andrea Pirlo also had an examination and reports from Irene suggest he should be back for the Slovakia clash next Thursday.
 Meanwhile, Simone Pepe is not impressed with the lack of spark from star players at the tournament.
"Where are all these phenomenal players? Italy's performance was among the best," he told reporters.
"Brazil only just beat North Korea thanks to Maicon's great goal."