Vincenzo Iaquinta

Duisburg: Italy relaxed on Tuesday after opening the World Cup with a convincing 2-0 win over Ghana. Reserves that did not play in Monday’s game stayed in shape with a training match against a local U-19 squad. Assistant coach Ciro Ferrara also took part.

Defender Gianluca Zambrotta, who sat out against Ghana with a left thigh injury, took part in the match and was cleared to play in Italy’s next group E game against the US on Saturday.

Playmaker Francesco Totti was also given the go-ahead to play after an X-ray showed his previously injured left leg did not suffer more serious damage when took a hit below the knee against Ghana.

After the morning training match, coach Marcello Lippi gave the squad the rest of the day off, its first since arriving in Germany. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said he would spend the time with his girlfriend, Czech model Alena Seredova.

“The guys get along well within the team, but if you look hard you’ll find there’s quite a difference between Alena and (Gennaro) Gattuso,” Buffon said, referring to the midfielder known for his snarling features. “A half day off will do us some good.”

Teams

Italy: Gianluigi Buffon; Cristian Zaccardo, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro, Fabio Grosso; Simone Perrotta, Andrea Pirlo, Francesco Totti (Mauro Camoranesi 56), Daniele De Rossi; Luca Toni (Alessandro Del Piero 82), Alberto Gilardino (Vincenzo Iaquinta 64).

Ghana: Richard Kingston; Emmanuel Pappoe (Shilla Illiasu 46), Samuel Kuffour, John Mensah, John Paintsil; Stephen Appiah, Eric Addo, Mickael Essien, Sulley Muntari; Asamoah Gyan (Alex Tachie-Mensah 89), Matthew Amoah (Razak Pimpong 68).

Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil).