Duisburg: Italy scraped into the quarter-finals of the World Cup after a fortunate 1-0 win over Australia and while they are not producing much entertainment Marcello Lippi's side look tough to beat.
The key to Italy's progress so far has been a familiar one - a rock solid defence that has conceded just one goal in four games and even that was a freakish own goal against the United States from defender Cristian Zaccardo.
Apart from some moments during their opening 2-0 win over Ghana, the Azzurri have yet to sparkle and the flowing attacking football they showed during qualification has been abandoned for more traditional Italian qualities.
"We're not a beautiful team to watch, but we're tough and very hard to beat. I think we can go all the way," said Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso after Monday's win in Kaiserslautern.
Italy's record supports Gattuso's confidence - Lippi's side are unbeaten in 22 games with their last defeat coming in October 2004 in a qualifier against Slovenia.
Gattuso's frankness was also evident in his observations on the last-minute penalty awarded to the Italians when Fabio Grosso went down in the area allowing Francesco Totti to convert the winner with the final kick of the game.
"If he (the referee) hadn't unjustly sent off Marco Materazzi, he wouldn't have given us the penalty, not even in his dreams," said the AC Milan midfielder.
Even down to 10 men, Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon had little work to do and was well protected by his back-four but even he admitted fortune had favoured Italy.
"I've had some great results in the past with the national team but also some big disappointments," said Buffon.
"I've learnt that you need a little luck to progress in the big tournaments. To get to the semi-finals would be great. From then on anyone can win it," added the Italy keeper.
Coach Lippi is likely to be down to the bare bones when he has to choose his defence for the tie with Ukraine - central defender Alessandro Nesta remains doubtful with a groin injury and his replacement on Monday, Materazzi, will be suspended.
Andrea Barzagli, who made only his ninth appearance when he came on as a sub on Monday, will probably start alongside Fabio Cannavaro but Italy have no further central defensive cover.
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