Intro:

Cesare Prandelli's Italy squad trained on Wednesday before their Brazil World Cup Group D clash with England on Saturday (KO 23:00 BST) at the Arena Amazônia in Manaus. The Azzurri will also play Costa Rica and Uruguay.

Script:

There's just two days to go before Italy's showdown with England in the Amazon.

Mario Balotelli has been in indifferent form for AC Milan and his place as the lone striker is under threat from Parma forward Antonio Cassano, who lost over one and a half stone after he stopped eating focaccia bread.

Boss Cesare Prandelli has managed to get the best out of Balotteli, who was key to the Azzurri reaching the Euro 2012 final.

Midfielder Daniele De Rossi of Roma forms part of Italy's spine, as does Juventus regista Andrea Pirlo, who scored an audacious Panenka in the penalty shoot-out victory over England two years ago.

Ciro Immobile was last season's top scorer in Serie A and his 23 goals in all competitions for Torino earned him a move to Germany's Borrusia Dortmund.

Balotelli and Pirlo both fancy their chances in set-pieces situations and Italy will be hoping for three points against the Three Lions to kick off their World Cup assault.