Buffon smells wind of change as Spain arrives minus Casillas

Turin - Gianluigi Buffon admits the prospect of losing his status as Italy's undisputed number one goalkeeper has been brought closer by the arrival of Spain ahead of the sides' 2018 World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

At 38 years old, Buffon remains pivotal to an Azzurri side that upset Euro 2016 predictions by reaching the quarter-finals, where only a dramatic 6-5 penalty shootout defeat to Germany ended their hopes.

Buffon is expected to remain with Italy at least until the World Cup, but the game in Turin has prompted him to wonder exactly when his sterling career will come to an end.

Coach Giampiero Ventura handed teenage AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma his debut during the second half of a 3-1 friendly defeat to France last month.

And Iker Casillas' omission from the Spain squad by newly-appointed coach Julen Lopetegui has made Buffon realise he cannot go on forever.

"The fact he's not here is very strange, but it's also a signal for me," Buffon told media of Casillas, 35.

"We're running out of time, but that's normal. But I'm fine with that. Inside of me I know my sporting career has to come to an end. Until that happens, I'll enjoy every moment."

Set to earn his 164th cap, Buffon will edge one closer to former Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas' 167-cap record for a European footballer, which he shares with retired Latvian Vitalijs Astafyevs.

After opening its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win against Israel in Haifa last month, Italy hosts Spain at Juventus Stadium fully aware the result will be key in deciding which team clinches top spot in a Group G that also includes Albania, Israel, Liechtenstein and Macedonia.

"This is an important match that will have consequences in terms of who qualifies for the World Cup," said Ventura, who succeeded Antonio Conte after he became manager of Chelsea in the summer.

"But we won't win this game if we play at 60 percent of our capacity."