As an experience the World Cup is the top of the top of the top for both players and coaches.

I was lucky enough to play in the 1990 tournament on home soil and the enthusiasm from the fans, especially in the five games we played in Rome, was infectious.

But following a long preparation period, the seven games we played were over in a flash and that is the key to the situation.

The matches come and go so quickly, and the coach must ensure his side make it to the final, and also arrive fresh when they get there.

Therefore, while the first game of the tournament is always important it is not necessarily vital to your outcome in the competition.

There have been many times in the history of the World Cup when a team has started badly only to go on and lift the trophy, Italy in 1982 for example.

Of course, winning against England tonight will ensure that the squad keep smiling but in the long run the result will probably not prove pivotal.

A lot of people are saying Italy’s group is very tough, but for me, Italy’s group is very tough for Uruguay, England and Costa Rica not for us.

If you want to be champions then you should not think about the other teams, they should be thinking about you. I don’t think either England or Uruguay are very happy to be playing with Italy in the group.

The problem is our mentality is always introverted so we think, ‘oh no, we are with England it’s gonna be a tough game’.

It’s a tough game for them. That said, with players like Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge, England have a squad that must be respected.

Roy Hodgson has picked a lot of young players and this makes them dangerous because they want it more and will play with bravery. But Italy have a stronger team than England at the moment and in Mario Balotelli they have a player who can win a game from nothing.

When you have one player who can do that, then you can adapt the rest of your tactics.

It happened in my last game with Al Jazira, Al Ain did nothing for 60 minutes and then, first ball, goal, second ball, goal, and the game is over.

Italy have a good coach in Cesare Prandelli, a good team and when you add Balotelli, with the support of Antonio Cassano, it means they have a lot of pluses in their favour.

But as I said the World Cup is the top of the top and you must be controlled, calm and confident in yourself. If Balotelli can do that then Italy can go far.