Carlo Ancelotti: 'Italy must stay united'

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has urged the Italian national side to stay together, despite their disappointing warm-up to the World Cup having made them unfancied in their group.

Italy take on England in their opening game on Saturday night, and Ancelotti said that if the players and staff all read from the same page they should manage a favourable result.

"When you take part in a World Cup there is always a lot of excitement and tension and everyone needs to chip in if you want to achieve something big," Ancelotti told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"However, people are sceptical about our chances, and do not believe in us. Well, I can guarantee that if the team and the coaching staff stay united and all read from the same page, then the atmosphere will become more favourable, and results are more likely to go our way.

"That is how Real Madrid won the Champions League. That's why now it's important to encourage Italians to get behind our lads."

Italy drew with Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg in their warm-up games.