ITALY are preparing to deploy a troupe of exciting young talents in their rainforest battle against England but coach Cesare Prandelli insists it is his old guard that holds the key to victory.
The Azzurri boast four survivors from the squad that lifted the World Cup trophy in Berlin eight years ago and, while the names Andrea Barzagli and Daniele De Rossi do not necessarily inspire inordinate levels of fear, England are aware of the threat posed by veterans Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon (pictured).
Shutting Juventus' wily pass master Pirlo out of the Group D clash in Manaus is arguably the biggest challenge facing England tonight and few men offer better protection behind a defence than 36-year-old Buffon.
Yet England's focus has recently shifted towards countering dangerous young striker Ciro Immobile - the Neapolitan's 22 goals for Torino saw him crowned Serie A's top scorer, or 'Capocannoniere', last season.
Paris St Germain schemer Marco Verratti and Napoli's enterprising forward Lorenzo Insigne offer Roy Hodgson further food for thought in a new-look side, but Italy boss Prandelli knows where the true quality operates in his team.
"It goes without saying that players like Pirlo and Buffon are essential to any coach, because they have so much quality to offer and the right attitude," said Prandelli. "It's also great to have the enthusiasm and creativity offered by the younger players, who've always dreamed of playing in the World Cup.
"They bring a little bit of exuberance to the side and they can do the unexpected. We've freshened up the team and that's exactly what we're looking for at this World Cup."
Senior players Giorgio Chiellini and Claudio Marchisio, both team-mates of Pirlo and Buffon at Juve, were quick to echo their coach's assessment of the experienced duo.
"Pirlo and Buffon are our most important players," said Chiellini. "They've got character and they make the whole team play, so we need to take good care of them."
Marchisio added: "I've had the privilege of playing and learning with them, mainly with Pirlo, who's taught me a lot about positioning.
"They've been the mainstays of this team for the last four years and they're going to be so important in a competition like this."
Absent tonight will be full-back Mattia De Sciglio after the AC Milan player hurt his left thigh in training - club-mate Ignazio Abate is ready to deputise.
Verratti, meanwhile, recovered from flu in time to travel to the Amazon yesterday morning.