Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon says Italy will face a battle to see off Paraguay in their World Cup opener.

The Azzurri open their World Cup campaign on Monday evening in Cape Town.

"Paraguay are a tough, difficult team propelled by a strong sense of patriotism," commented the goalkeeper.

"We too are ready and will try to give the people of Italy further joy in a World Cup.

"The idea is to live through strong emotional scenes, like we did four years ago, but we have to stay calm.

"This is not the time to be rushing ahead of ourselves."