Italy have their act together - Lippi

Italy may have been frustrated by Paraguay in their World Cup opener, but coach Marcello Lippi insists his team did enough to prove they have got their act together after an unconvincing lead-up.

The four-time champions went into the first match of their title defence in Cape Town on Monday evening under the cosh and with a point to prove.

Lippi said they did just that, despite a 1-1 draw.

"The important thing is this was not a decisive game. What is important is that people now realise we are here and have got our act together," he said.

The Azzurri are often slow starters at big tournaments and the coach was keen to point out that the team will grow as the World Cup progresses.

"I saw the team grow out there. It is just too bad that we didn't win because we deserved to win," he said.

"Everyone played well, some better than others. I think we had good teamwork. I don't want to overemphasise things, but I think we were more united than Paraguay."

On a cold and wet night, the South Americans stunned the Italians by taking the lead on 39 minutes when Antolin Alcaraz outjumped captain Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi to head home a cross.

De Rossi redeemed himself by grabbing the equaliser early in the second half, making the most of goalkeeper Justo Villar's failure to clear a corner. While less than convincing in the first half, Italy turned up the heat after their goal and they could have had more.

Lippi said they needed to focus on converting more chances before their next game against New Zealand on Sunday.

"We have to become more brilliant in our attack and grow, although you have to bear in mind that although the turf was really beautiful to look at, it was very slippery and very hard to control the ball."

Buffon out

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will be out of action for an indefinite period with a back injury, the world champions said.

The 32-year-old was replaced at half-time in Italy's World Cup opener in Cape Town on Monday, a 1-1 draw against Paraguay.

"He has a bad sciatic problem. We cannot say when he will be able to play again," said an Italian Football Federation statement.

Buffon was replaced at half-time by Federico Marchetti on Monday, after which coach Lippi said it was too early to judge the seriousness of the veteran's injury.

"He had an ache during the warm-up and then he said he wanted to play, but after the first half he said he couldn't continue," said Lippi.