Gary Cahill has insisted that England have not created a "masterplan" to deal with Andrea Pirlo ahead of their meeting with Italy on Saturday.

The focus has been on the midfielder in the build-up to the Group D clash, largely due to his influential display in Italy's success over England in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals, but Cahill claims that the intention is to control the game in Manaus.

"I don't think there is a masterplan," the Chelsea defender told reporters. "We're respectful of what he's done and what a player he is but our message is about how we want to play and approach the game – we want to control the game.

"I think the key is to be organised and solid at the back, and to give our more creative players the ball to create opportunities. That's the plan."

Pirlo revealed on Wednesday that he is likely to retire from international football after the tournament.

Written by
Callum Mulvihill