Cesare Prandelli slams FIFA "madness"

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has hit out at FIFA for not permitting teams to take mid-match breaks following his side's 2-1 win over England in the sweltering heat of Manaus.

The Azzurri kicked off their World Cup campaign with a victory by beating Roy Hodgson's side, but were forced to battle the humid conditions in order to achieve the win.

The governing body have previously opted against allowing every team the luxury of a cooling break during the competition, a decision which Prandelli describes as "madness".

"It was madness not to have time-outs in these conditions," Prandelli told RAI Sport. "If they want a spectacle, they have to give the players the possibility to recover."

Mario Balotelli ended up the match-winner in the Amazonian city, heading home an Antonio Candreva cross on 50 minutes after Daniel Sturridge had cancelled out Claudio Marchisio's opener.