Thursday 29 December 2016 19:36, UK
Marcello Lippi says Italy were fortunate to open their World Cup qualifying campaign with a victory.
Italy head coach Marcello Lippi has admitted his side were fortunate to open their World Cup qualifying campaign with a victory.
The Azzurri left it late to down Cyprus with Antonio Di Natale netting his second of the game in the 90th minute to secure a 2-1 success.
Lippi concedes the world champions did not perform to their full potential, but praised the display of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for keeping his side in the game.
He said: "We got more than we deserved. Cyprus had a few chances to score but luckily we have a keeper like Buffon."
Alessandro Gamberini and Fabio Grosso were forced off early on in the match after the defenders suffered a dislocated shoulder and broken ribs respectively.
Lippi is set to replace the duo ahead of Wednesday's encounter against Georgia with reports in Italy suggesting Marco Materazzi and Daniele Bonera could be called upon.
