Pirlo primed to pummel England

Veteran Italian playmaker looking to make big impact in his final Cup run

As expected from a man of few words, Andrea Pirlo has shrugged off suggestions his role for Italy at the World Cup carries special status as the Azzurri prepare to face England in Manaus on Saturday.

Yet evidence from past campaigns, including his role in helping dismantle England at Euro 2012, has had the tacticians in the English camp scrambling for a plan to stop the influential Juventus midfielder.