Lippi urges fans to cheer Italy

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi has urged the country’s disaffected fans to get behind their team ahead of their World Cup opener against Ghana tonight.

The team have tried to put the domestic match-fixing controversy behind them by training behind closed doors this week in Duisburg, a move that has upset many Azzurri fans.

The Azzurri go into the competition on the back of a 17-game unbeaten run but have struggled to show their best form in the warm-up games against Switzerland and Ukraine.

The former Juventus boss has reasons to be optimistic, with Roma play-maker Francesco Totti having returned to fitness following a serious leg injury.

Totti is set to be included in the starting XI, with out-of -form Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero relegated to the bench.

Experienced AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has passed a late fitness test and will also be available to partner captain Cannavaro at the heart of the Azzurri defence.

Fabio Grosso is poised to come in for Gianluca Zambrotta at left-back and midfielder Daniele De Rossi could replace Gennaro Gattuso.

Although Ghana and Italy have never faced each other in an international tournament, the Azzurri know what they are up against.

Ghana’s Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic has warned the three-time world champions not to underestimate his side.

“We are here to compete, not just to participate,” he said.

“We have the quality to reach the semi-final stages.”

Dujkovic expects a focused Italy despite the distraction of the scandal which has rocked Serie A.