Roy Hodgson ready to go on the offensive against Italy

England have arrived in Brazil and manager Roy Hodgson is in a positive mood ahead of the group opener against Italy.

The squad left Miami immediately after the 0-0 draw with Honduras and landed in Rio de Janeiro at 7.30am local time, and the England boss now has his sights firmly set on a positive week of training in preparation for three points from Saturday’s clash in Manaus.

“I'd like to win it,” said Hodgson. 

“When we get the ball we are going to go for it, we are going to attack. We are going to encourage our attacking players to do what we do. 

"But we are also going to make it clear to them that they can't go gung-ho at any time. At all times you've got to be thinking, 'What happens if it doesn't work out? Are we protected?"

Saturday’s clash with Cesare Prandelli’s side will not be the first time Hodgson has led England against Italy in a major tournament.

In 2012 the Three Lions crashed out to Italy at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2012 after losing 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw in Kiev – but Hodgson says the combination of fewer injuries this time around and the emergence of a new group of young English players in the two years since that night in Ukraine gives great cause for optimism.

“We lost four very important players and we had to draft in replacements, but of course two years down the line working with a large body of players regularly and enjoying some success during that time because of the qualifying campaign, that definitely helps you,” he added.

“The emergence of these very exciting players who have incredible pace and have good physical power and they have also got good technique.”

And of that young talent, the likes of Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling and Luke Shaw have all impressed the manager during the three-week training camp since the season ended.

Roy praised the emergence of young players such as Ross Barkley

However, Hodgson erred on the side of caution and said he would resist calls from some quarters to blood all three immediately – saying evolution may be more suitable than revolution in certain scenarios.

“I am just a bit concerned there is a mood at the moment that ‘let's get rid of everyone who is not 18 or 19 years of age’ and go flying at the opposition from the start,” he continued.

“It's a balance and one of the things we work on on a regular basis is getting the right balance between the defending and the attacking and when you are attacking, making sure you cover yourself against counter attacks which we didn't always do that brilliantly.”

While Hodgson expressed his frustration after the stop-start performance in Miami against Honduras – Italy's build up has been far from harmonious either, after a 1-1 draw against lowly Luxembourg extended the Azzurri’s winless run to seven games.

However, much like a cup final, the England manager insisted form will go out the window when the World Cup gets under way.

“If they have been winning or losing friendlies then who cares really because when we cross over that white line in Manaus and the referee blows his whistle it's a totally new game. 

“That is the way I will tell the players to approach it.”