Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has warned his team that they must improve before their World Cup opener against England on Saturday.

The Azzurri have won just one of their last eight matches heading into the tournament in Brazil.

With their encounter against England in Manaus just days away, Prandelli has urged his players to raise their level.

"We are not sharp enough yet," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "We have done the physical work, trained hard and are in good shape, but we know we must improve before we start the tournament against England. We can improve and we will improve."

Italy failed to get past the group stage at the World Cup in South Africa four years ago.

Written by
Jack Prescott