By Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport in Hanover

Italy's celebrations hinted at a team with a close bond

Italy came to the World Cup in a whirlwind of controversy surrounding the country's club football.

They had, and still have, to deal with the spectre of on-going investigations into allegations of corruption at league level, which have brought the integrity of Italian football into question.

The national team coach Marcello Lippi was among those questioned during the investigation into suspected match-fixing, hardly the ideal preparation for football's biggest tournament.

The players have also felt the full impact of the affair, with all 23 members of the squad playing their club football in their homeland.

And five of them play for Juventus, the club at the centre of the scandal.

But, judging by Italy's opening game of the World Cup, it seems that what does not break you makes you stronger.

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They were given a severe test by Ghana, especially in the first half, before emerging 2-0 winners on Monday.

Each of their goals was celebrated with a unity and camaraderie that suggested the recent troubles of Italian football has only served to galvanise the squad.

Only time will tell how strong the bond is in their camp but, as Lyon boss and former Liverpool and France manager Gerard Houllier pointed out, there is an element of d�j� vu in the situation.

Houllier, who is working as a pundit at the tournament, told BBC Sport: "It's an irony of fate.

"The last time there was a huge problem regarding Italian football was in 1982 and see what happened then."

Maybe they have troubles in Italy but not the players Ghana defender Samuel Kuffour

Italy won that competition to claim the third of their World Cup titles with striker Paolo Rossi, who had just returned from a two-year ban over allegations of match-fixing, the country's hero.

After watching Italy's win over Ghana, Houllier added: "I was impressed by the defensive efficiency of Italy.

"Francesco Totti will be fitter for the next game. He was probably at 70% during the game.

"Like all the teams that have played so far and had the label of being able to win the World Cup, they have won their first game. That sends out a message to everyone."

Ghana defender Samuel Kuffour plays at AS Roma with three of the Italian players who started against his side in the Group E match in Hanover.

Kuffour's error gifted Italy their crucial second goal and he backs up the view that the Azzurri have only the World Cup on their minds.

"Maybe they have troubles in Italy but not the players," said Kuffour, who lost a bet he had with club team-mate Totti on the winner of the game between their two nations.

"They concentrate, play very well and are a good team."