(June 13th) Everything started. The World Cup began with the success of the Brazilian side against Croatia. On Saturday will be up to Italy, that in the night will make its debut: today the Azzurri will leave their headquarters in Mangaratiba, reaching Manaus, where they will face England in their opening match of the World Cup. The Italian team will arrive in Manaus at 8 pm (Italian time), then they will train on the pitch of the Stadium Arena Amazonia, theatre of the match. The squad coached by Cesare Prandelli received a letter of encouragement from Gigi Riva, one of the greatest Italian football of all time and with a long career as manager in the National team. “Legs and shoulder pains keep me here in Italy, but my heart is in Brazil with the team”. Cesare Prandelli tried very hard to convince him to come back, even before the last camp in Coverciano. “I was pleased by his call, he is a sincere person, just like me. My physical problems I have kept me from saying yes – says Riva – and now that the Cup started, heck if I miss all of it”. “Italy is going through a rough patch – he concludes – and in the past few months I have avoided talking about football because it seems hard to do it when so many people have important things to think about. But these matches in Brazil can give many people a bit of pride maybe a smile.” (red)
