At their best, the Italians can be breathtaking, but Lippi insists winning their first Group E game in Hanover against four-time African champions Ghana takes priority over entertainment.

"It's a hugely important match and all that counts is getting the victory," said Lippi, whose side are unbeaten in their last 18 matches and are facing the Black Stars for the very first time. "A strong start is imperative, although we have to be wary. Ghana are a technical side, full of pace and individual talent, but I have faith in my players."

Utility defender Gianluca Zambrotta and midfield dynamo Gennaro Gattuso have both been ruled out with injuries, while stylish centre-back Alessandro Nesta is carrying a knock but was given a clean bill of health on Saturday.

"It's difficult to replace players like Zambrotta and Gattuso, but we have to be positive," said the 58-year-old Lippi, who won every major trophy at club level with Juventus. "I may have a thousand faults as a coach, but I've never cried about injuries."

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro insisted the Serie A match-fixing scandal, which could see his club Juventus demoted to Italy's second division, had galvanized the squad rather than fragmented it.

"Now we are here, all we are thinking about is football," he said. "It's been a difficult time and the only place that we can give a good response is on the pitch."

Ghana ready to leave a mark on Cup

Ghana are relishing the chance to pit their wits against one of Europe's finest teams.

"We'll beat Italy," bragged 29-year-old defender Sammy Kuffour who plays in Italy for Roma and was a Champions League winner with Bayern Munich. "Italy have won the World Cup three times and recently beat Germany 4-1 in a friendly, but we could be the surprise team of the tournament."

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah, a former Juventus player, was slightly less bullish.

"I don't know if we will beat Italy, but I feel that we will leave our mark on this tournament," he said.

That mark could go as far as the semifinals, according to Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic,

"It's not important who it is in the second round, whether Brazil, Japan, Croatia or Australia. We're strong enough to reach the semi-finals," he said at a news conference two days before the game.

Ghana defender Samuel Kuffour added that experts should get used to hearing about upsets in the world of soccer.

"In soccer nowadays anything is possible," he said. "Of course, if we play against (Brazil) it is a dream. If we lose, no one will say anything."