Gianfranco Zola: 'Italy must stop Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney'

Gianfranco Zola has said that Italy need to make sure they stop Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney when they face England in their opening World Cup game next week.

Rooney was on the scoresheet during the Three Lions' warm-up match against Ecuador earlier this week, but Sturridge has failed to find the back of the net in his side's last two friendlies.

The former Italy international told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Italy has to be able to stop two strong players like Sturridge and Rooney.

"Italy has more expert players, England has younger players and two magnetic players like [Steven] Gerrard and [Frank] Lampard.

"In my opinion [Mario] Balotelli and [Antonio] Cassano could create some problems to the England defence, but unlike the past, the England defenders are less slow now. Italy and England in general are similar squads, with some certainty and more variables."

The two teams will also face Costa Rica and Uruguay in their group.