Defence with a difference

But the back four have posed opponents myriad difficulties all over the pitch.

At the back, they have proved as immovable as their illustrious predecessors.

One can imagine Messrs Bergomi & Baresi looking on in admiration at Fabio Cannavaro, who put in another immense display against the Germans.

Small for a centre-half, the Italy skipper has been a giant in the knockout phase despite being deprived of his usual partner, Alessandro Nesta, and surpassed himself with an almost perfect display in snuffing out Miroslav Klose.

The unerring regularity with which the Juventus stopper popped up to nip German menace in the bud was quietly impressive, while his ability to play the ball out from the back - shunning the 'anywhere will do' mentality of many centre-halves - proved a vital starting point of many an Italian attack.

Who is the man motoring out of the back four to intercept a pass and feeding Pirlo for the final goal in the final minute of extra time? Yes, Cannavaro.

Nesta's replacement, Marco Materazzi, has also played his part.

It was his goal - after coming on for the injured Milan man - which unlocked the stalemate of the final group game against the Czech Republic, while he looked solid against Germany even if Lukas Podolski did get away from him to give Buffon the chance to extend himself.

But the real stars of the show have been the two full-backs, Fabio Grosso and Gianluca Zambrotta.

Grosso could be the revelation of the World Cup.

At 28, the Palermo is a relative spring chicken in international football terms, but those who have seen his dynamic Serie A performances will be less surprised by the impact he has had in Germany.

A starter in five of the six games Italy have played so far, Grosso's impact in the opposing final third has been enormous both in terms of his own contribution and the fact his raids into 'enemy territory' have hindered opponents' own attacking ambitions.

It was his burst forward that provoked Lucas Neill's rash challenge and afforded Francesco Totti the chance to send Italy into the last eight at Australia's expense, while his cultured strike against the Germans will have left lesser-gifted offensive-minded players drooling.

Gianluca Zambrotta is - arguably - the most complete full-back in the world. He is so good Lippi has him playing right-back, when he earns his weekly wage on the opposite flank.

You would never have known.

The Juventus man is a non-stop bundle of industry and invention, providing defensive solidity while also - like Grosso - giving Italy's generally width-starved side some desperately needed presence on the flanks and he even found the net against Ukraine.

His encounter with one of the other brilliant full-backs of the tournament, Germany's Philipp Lahm, was an intriguing battle.

Zambrotta - arguably - came out on top as Lahm's team-mate down the left, Tim Borowski, was taken off and Lahm's own ability to destroy teams coming in off that flank was significantly reduced.

The Italy quartet are a fearsome prospect for any side trying to find a way through - and with Buffon behind them in equally dominant form - if either France or Portugal finds the key to unlock the Azzurri rearguard, they will have earned their World Cup winners' medals.