Italy have been drawn in one of the more difficult groups World Cup. The Azzuri were drawn in Group E with the Czech Republic, the U.S. and World Cup newcomers Ghana. For Italy, Group E includes two teams that are currently rated above Marcello Lippi's team in the FIFA rankings.

The draw for all the teams will be welcomed with caution. Ghana's 'Black Stars' qualified for the first time with a spectacular record, having beaten South Africa and the Congo to top their group.

The US also have a very strong team, being the first to qualify from the CONCACAF qualifying zone, and who finished above the World Cup seeded team Mexico in the CONCACAF Zone.

Finally, in the Czech Republic, there is one of the most attacking teams in the European qualifying zone, who only missed out on automatic qualification due to their being drawn in the same group as the Netherlands, who topped the group. None of these teams will feel that there is in any way an 'easy' game for them in this group.

“I'm not disappointed. I'm satisfied. It's a tricky group, but they are all strong teams at this level,” Italy coach Marcello Lippi said after Friday's draw.

“We knew we'd be facing some tough matches even before the draw.”

“We can say that we have two teams (the USA and the Czech Republic) that are ahead of us in the FIFA rankings. That's not a big problem.”

“We're improving all the time and we'll been even better by the time the tournament starts next year.”

"Italy is certainly not inferior to any of these teams. I'm not saying we're better - just not inferior, that's all."

Former Italy and Chelsea FC striker Gianluca Vialli, who is now working as a commentator for Italy's SKY TV, said Italy should be wary of a tough group.

"It's definitely a difficult start. We're going to have to be in form right from the start, otherwise we'll be heading home early," said the ex Chelsea manager.

"It seems obvious to me that the Czech Republic and us are the strongest two teams in the group," said Paolo Rossi, top scorer when Italy last won the World Cup in Spain in 1982.

"Ghana is a bit of an unknown quantity and the U.S. are solid," he continued.

"The group will not be a cakewalk, but it's not impossibly difficult either. It (qualification to the knockout stages) is certainly well within our capabilities," added Rossi, who along with Vialli, is also working as a sports pundit for Italian TV.

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