Mattia De Sciglio ruled out of Italy's World Cup opener against England through injury

• Italy defender Mattia De Sciglio ruled out of England game through injury
• Cesare Prandelli will have to shuffle defence to accommodate loss
• Andrea Barzagli says Azzurri can cope in Manaus' humid conditions
• Barzagli also confident experience of Italy squad will help them through

By David Kent for MailOnline

Published: 17:14 EDT, 12 June 2014 | Updated: 18:49 EDT, 12 June 2014

Italy left-back Mattia De Sciglio has been ruled out of their Group D opener against England in Manaus on Saturday night.

The news will come as a blow to Azzurri coach Cesare Prandelli so close to the start of his side's World Cup campaign.

The AC Milan defender, 21, pulled up in training on Thursday with a calf strain and was taken to hospital for an MRI which revealed the extent of the damage.

Ruled out: Mattia De Sciglio will miss Italy's game against England due to injury

'Defender Mattia De Sciglio, after today's (Thursday) training session in Portobello (Mangaritiba), has sustained a muscle strain in his left thigh,' Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci said.

'The player underwent this afternoon an MRI at Angra dos Reis and the test has revealed an oedema in his left femoral biceps.

'De Sciglio will not be available for the first game against England.'

Prandelli is unlikely to replace De Sciglio, despite having taken Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia as a reserve player to Brazil.

The Azzurri can make a substitution because of an injury 24 hours prior to their World Cup debut.

De Sciglio has been ruled out for the Group D opener but is expected to recover in time for the clash with Costa Rica on June 20.

With few options available to him Prandelli may opt to select centre-half Giorgio Chiellini at left-back which could mean Leonardo Bonucci or Gabriel Paletta coming in alongside Andrea Barzagli in the heart of Italy's defence.

Speaking ahead of the game Barzagli said Italy are confident they can cope with the heat and humidity in Manaus.

The Azzurri prepared for the extreme conditions by doing specific training exercises in a sauna at their headquarters in Coverciano, Florence.

'I think the heat will condition both teams,' Italy defender Andrea Barzagli said. 'We have prepared quite well. The conditions will be difficult but if you want to play at this level you need to be ready for everything.

'It will create adversity for us as just as it will for them.'

Knock: The AC Milan defender picked up a calf strain in training for the Group D game

Barzagli firmly denied that Italy may be willing to settle for a draw if the players are struggling to cope with the conditions.

'We cannot forget that this game could already be crucial in terms of the group,' he said. 'Hence the climate could impact the game but I don't think either side will plan to settle for a draw.'

To complicate matters for the two sides, organisers have confirmed that the pitch at the Amazonia Arena will not be in good shape.

'We've had an update stating that the pitch will not be in peak condition,' Barzagli said. 'But I think they will do all that they can to make it decent.'

Tactician: Cesare Prandelli will have to shuffle his defence to compensate for the loss of De Sciglio

Barzagli did express on Thursday concerns about his team's defence.

'In recent times, we have given away more goals than we wanted,' he said. 'But the important thing is to give solidity to our defence.

'Against England, we will have to be very careful on dead-ball situations.

'They are very dangerous in the area and these are important details where we must not make mistakes.

'I hope our strikers can test England's defence. They have a tough defence and we have tried several options to make life difficult for them.

'We are optimistic because we are working so much.

'We want to do something extraordinary.'

Survivors: Andrea Barzagli believes Italy can cope with the heat and humidity in Manaus

Prandelli has yet to reveal who will play up front.

The Azzurri coach has plenty of options with Mario Balotelli, Antonio Casano, Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne all available for selection.

The 33-year-old Barzagli hopes his side can replicate the feat of the Azzurri squad of 2006.

Barzagli was a member of the side that beat France eight years ago to hand Italy their fourth World crown.

'There were so many more players with international experience back in 2006 and this means a lot,' he said. 'But the will is the same.

'There is a good group and in top competitions, this makes a difference.

'We hope we can be similar to the team of 2006.

'I am eight years older, I have more experience, and hence, more responsibility.'

Soloist: Italy have not revealed who will lead their attack yet but Mario Balotelli could play alone up front