Italy to train at Arena Amazonia despite concerns over pitch

Italy have expressed their intention to train at the Arena Amazonia despite growing concerns over the state of the playing surface in Manaus.

Pictures emerged yesterday showing that the pitch was in poor condition ahead of the Azzurri's opening World Cup group game, which comes against England on Saturday.

However, while the Three Lions have opted to train at their hotel instead of at the stadium, Italy Football Federation vice president Demetrio Albertini has insisted that his side will not alter from their original plan.

"We will train regularly at the stadium. It's an important test before the game. We will continue with the programme we had arrange months ago," Albertini told www.figc.it.

Despite taking the decision to train on the pitch, Albertini has expressed concern over the state of the playing surface.