Yet while England fans nervously pine for revenge after Roy Hodgson’s side lost against the Azzurri at Euro 2012, Joe Hart will be preparing the same as he would for any other game.
“I have got my normal warm up - I’ll take the ball in my hands, catch a few crosses and take a few strikes but that is pretty much it for me,” he said.
England v Italy
2014 FIFA World Cup
Group D
11pm BST, Saturday 14 June 2014
Arena da Amazonia, Manaus
BBC1 and 5 Live
“I get in with plenty of time to get ready but I won’t be putting on one glove differently to the other.
“I am quite simple - my mental state is key so I have to get myself in the right state of mind.”
Hart believes his England performances will benefit after coming through a difficult, but ultimately successful, season with Manchester City.
The 27-year-old lost his starting place midway through this season at City but recovered to regain his spot and lead his side to the Premier League title.
“I would like to think I am a better keeper and more mature person now,” he added.
“I would like to think that every year there is something in my game that has helped me improve whether it be good or bad.
England players arrive in Manaus on Thursday afternoon
“But that is not the end for me and I have to keep working hard because I could potentially go through a bad patch again.”
Hart was third-choice keeper for England at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after Manchester City sent him on loan to Birmingham for the season.
But four years later he has won two Premier Leagues, an FA Cup and a League Cup - and now he 48 hours from making his World Cup debut in Brazil.
And he has spoken of his pride at being first-choice keeper for both club and country.
“I have two amazing opportunities football-wise,” he said.
“Firstly playing at such an exciting club like Man City who could potentially have whoever they want.
“And playing for England which is one of the greatest nations in footballing history.”
