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Italy are not expecting to play on a "perfect pitch" when they face England on Saturday at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus. - Horncastle: Expect Balotelli to blossom in Brazil Visibly dry, white stripes across the grass pitch have heightened concerns about the playing surface ahead of the World Cup Group D clash. Organisers have conceded it will not be in good condition, but Italy Football Federation vice-president Demetrio Albertini is hoping the pitch will not affect the game. "I had heard some news regarding this matter before it was published in the English papers," he told www.figc.it. "Our delegation has arrived in 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 opted for 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 arranged months ago."
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