Friday 13 June 2014 08:28, UK
Italy are not expecting to play on a "perfect pitch" when they go up against England on Saturday at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus.
Organisers have conceded the playing surface will not be in good condition.
"I had heard some news regarding this matter before it was published in the English papers," Italy Football Federation vice-president Demetrio Albertini said to www.figc.it.
"Our delegation has arrived to Manaus and we will shortly know more about the condition of the pitch.
"In any case, it doesn't change anything, it will not be in perfect condition.
"But this is the World Cup.
"Of course, to play on an inadequate pitch is never nice, the hope is that this will not damage the show."
England have chosen to train at their hotel on Friday and not at the stadium.
But Italy have taken a different approach.
"We will train regularly at the stadium," Albertini said."It's an important test before the game.
"We will continue with the programme we had arrange months ago."
