Though he wanted to, it seems Totti wasn’t able to get in shape for the first match of the World Cup.

“I am at around 60-70 per cent of my condition,” Totti said after playing the second half of a training match on Friday.

“Like everyone, I’m here to play and I feel ready to play. But it is down to the coach to make his decision and if he chooses not to play me I will accept that.”

The Roma playmaker, viewed as key to Italy’s hopes at the finals, has only recently returned from a three months’ absence following a broken ankle.

“I am happy to have got those 45 minutes in because the only way to get back to full form is through playing,” said Totti, who has only once managed to play a full 90 minutes since his injury in February.

Coach Lippi says he thinks Totti is coming back in shape and that he will shortly be again the decisive player at the middle of the field for his national team, Italy.

The Duisburg youngsters were careful not to be too aggressive but Totti said he was not worried about receiving crunching tackles against Ghana.

“Sooner or later I’m going to get fouled but I’m ready, I’m ready for the battle,” he said.

Source: WCoffsite