Depleted Italy play Cameroon in Monaco

Italy coach Marcello Lippi admits his squad is below full strength but believes the Azzurri can still test Cameroon in today's friendly in Monaco.

The world champions are without injured Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Grosso, Gianluca Zambrotta, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Gaetano D'Agostino, but Lippi is looking at the positives.

"Cameroon is a strong rival," he said.

"We could face them in the last 16 of the World Cup. But we go into this game wearing a mask, like in a carnival, because we have so many players absent through injury.

"For the time being my consolation is that those that are absent will have more energy to give in South Africa."

Today's match - Italy's first of three friendlies before the World Cup finals - will be an opportunity for Lippi to evaluate several other candidates to complete his squad for this summer's tournament.