Defender Gary Cahill believes England are “definitely ready for the game” against Italy on Saturday night.
It kicks off in Manaus on Saturday at 23.00 UK time (22.00 GMT). England haven’t beaten the Azzurri in a major tournament since 1977 and were eliminated on penalties in the Euro 2012 quarter-final.
“I think a lot has changed in the couple of years since we played Italy,” Cahill said in a Press conference.
Defender Gary Cahill believes England are “definitely ready for the game” against Italy on Saturday night.
It kicks off in Manaus on Saturday at 23.00 UK time (22.00 GMT). England haven’t beaten the Azzurri in a major tournament since 1977 and were eliminated on penalties in the Euro 2012 quarter-final.
“I think a lot has changed in the couple of years since we played Italy,” Cahill said in a Press conference.
“We are certainly a strong team and we are definitely ready for the game. I can't wait to get started and the preparation has gone fantastically well so we're just ready for the game to come along now.”
There have been numerous concerns over the venue, as the heat and humidity in the Arena Amazonas are coupled with a dismal pitch.
While Italy played in Brazil during the Confederations Cup last summer, it is a new experience for the Three Lions.
“I don't really know what to expect. I have been told, obviously, about the humidity. That was the first thing we were all made aware of, but that's what we've been training for and preparing for in the last couple of weeks. That was the main thing really.
“We are certainly a strong team and we are definitely ready for the game. I can't wait to get started and the preparation has gone fantastically well so we're just ready for the game to come along now.”
While Italy trained in a specially-constructed sauna they called the ‘Manaus Hut,’ England took a different approach.
“I think we've prepared the best we possibly could in the couple of weeks we had,” insisted Cahill after time in the Algarve, Miami and Rio.
“We did the hot-weather training, been in hot climates, done the heat chambers, worn extra layers of clothing.
“So we've prepared as best we possibly could. Obviously being English players we’re not used to those conditions but in the three weeks that we've had we have done all we possibly can.”