Veteran Italy fullback Gianluca Zambrotta insisted on Thursday that growing criticism of the world champions would only help bind the team together.

The reigning World Cup holders have been in poor form in recent times and ahead of their Group F opener in Cape Town against Paraguay, they have found themselves under pressure in the media.

But AC Milan's Zambrotta, 33, says that has not changed from the past.

"We're used to the criticism, there are 1000 critics but we've always performed under criticism, it's not a problem. It brings us closer together and builds our spirit," he said from Italy's Casa Azzurri base here, south of Pretoria.

"It was the same in 2006, we were unfancied and people didn't even think we'd make the quarter-finals.

"It's not new, we've always been unfancied at the start and that's fine with us, we'll see what happens.

"But I'm not thinking about that, I'm thinking only about our first game against Paraguay."

Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, who could be in line to stand in for injured playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who is due to miss the first two group matches with a calf strain, believes that not everyone has written off their chances.

"There is scepticism but the fans were very enthusiastic when we left (our training base in) Sestriere and (the airport in) Milan," he said.

"This scepticism will help motivate us. We want to transform this lack of faith, we've got even more desire to perform."

Despite the players' claims, the Italian press is very concerned about their country's chances and are particularly worried that coach Marcello Lippi has yet to even decide what system he will play, let alone who will play where.

Zambrotta claimed that isn't a problem, but did admit that even the players don't know what system they will play.

"There's no confusion in the squad, all 23 players are here and ready for the coach, there's no problems with positions or adapting to new ones," he said.

But when asked about the formation he added: "We don't yet know anything, we haven't tried anything yet, we just arrived yesterday (Wednesday).

"But I'm sure the gaffer knows how the team will play on Monday. It's not a question about the system because we have many players who can play in different systems. It's all about the preparation."

Following Monday's opener against the South Americans, Italy will play New Zealand in Nelspruit on June 20 and then Slovakia on June 24 in Johannesburg.

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