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Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni played down the importance of his side's disappointing 1-0 defeat to the Czech Republic.

The Azzurri's World Cup preparations were hit by a lacklustre display in Prague and they were fortunate to escape without suffering a heavier defeat.

Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer scored the winner with a first-half header but only the brilliance of Italy keepers Gianluigi Buffon and Francesco Toldo, who played one half each, kept the scoreline respectable.

"On the pitch we still have a lot of problems," Trapattoni admitted.

"We are lacking big-game mentality but I believe we will improve in Japan and South Korea.

"I think that when we start to play in the World Cup the team will find their best form."

Italy are in Group G along with Ecuador, Croatia and Mexico.