Ex-Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio believes “Italy should fear” England’s tactics and would start Ciro Immobile.

The two teams go head-to-head in Manaus tonight for their World Cup opener at 23.00 UK time (22.00 GMT).

Ex-Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio believes “Italy should fear” England’s tactics and would start Ciro Immobile.

The two teams go head-to-head in Manaus tonight for their World Cup opener at 23.00 UK time (22.00 GMT).

“England have always put their faith in experience, but now they’ve discovered talented youngsters and made this important choice,” former Sunderland boss Di Canio told Rai Sport.

“Italy should fear this possibility of changing system to a 4-2-3-1, so no longer the old trusted 4-4-2.

“The Azzurri will have a lot of possession, but I don’t see a lot of quality with Mario Balotelli as the striker and Claudio Marchisio with Antonio Candreva behind.

“Italy do not have a player who can take men on and get past them.”

Torino striker Immobile has earned a move to Borussia Dortmund after topping the Serie A Capocannoniere charts, but is expected to be on the bench for Italy.

“I’d always start with Immobile, who attacks the space with players like Andrea Pirlo and Marco Verratti to provide him with great assists,” added Di Canio.

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