Italian coach Marcello Lippi is sweating over the form of Francesco Totti ahead of their World Cup group opener against Ghana.

The AS Roma player recovered from leg surgery in record time but Lippi is now faced with another huge challenge, the form of Totti ahead of the Ghana game.

Coach Marcello Lippi tried several options in a two-day training camp earlier this month, but he makes no secret that "no one else can play Totti's position."

"I'm optimistic regarding Totti," Lippi said.

"But now comes the tough part. He's going to go up against opponents that won't have much regard for him."

If Totti doesn't regain his form, Lippi will likely change his lineup.

The Azzurri's preferred lineup is a 4-3-1-2, with Totti in the '1' or playmaker position centered behind forwards Alberto Gilardino and Luca Toni.

Without Totti, Lippi has gone to a 4-3-3 and inserted Juventus' Alessandro Del Piero on the left, slightly dropped back, alongside Gilardino and Toni.

That was the lineup Lippi used in Italy's 4-1 friendly win over Germany in March.

The Azzurrini’s kick start their world cup title hopes against Ghana’s Black Stars, who are making their tournament debut in group ‘E’ in Hanover.