A 4-1 midweek win over the Germans has sent expectations soaring -- 'World champions, for today' read the front page of La Gazzetta dello Sport -- but also recalls the team that slumped out of the last finals held in Germany in 1974.

Italy are now unbeaten in 16 matches and have defeated the Netherlands as well as Germany, who they trounced in a friendly in Floremce on Wendesday, in the past four months.

They have been drawn in Group E with Ghana, the United States and the Czech Republic at the 2006 World Cup.

In 1974 the Azzurri went into the tournament on the back of a 14-game unbeaten streak stretching back two years, including wins over Brazil and England, but were eliminated in the first phase from a group containing Haiti, Poland and Argentina.

"It won't finish like it did in 1974," 62-year-old Riva was quoted as saying in La Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday.

"That (Italy team) was a strong team, but we ruined our chances even before we left for Germany.

"The bickering and arguments between the players had a big effect on results.

"On one side there was Giorgio Chinaglia, who had just won the Serie A title with Lazio, on the other there was Gianni Rivera.

"There had always been problems (between the two), but they had never been cleared up. They seemed to have disappeared, then they resurfaced during the tournament."

Riva, who scored 35 goals in 42 appearances for Italy and now accompanies the squad on their travels, said he would use his experience to prevent a repeat of past mistakes.

"I will tell them (the players) that the World Cup is a different and more difficult competition than the European championships.

"If everything goes to plan you are obliged to stay together for more than 50 days.

"You can't afford to get depressed if the first match doesn't go well. Too much confidence if you start well can be very dangerous too.

"The objective is a long way off and if you don't have everyone pulling together, you won't get anywhere."

Riva believes the present attack-minded team is better than the rigidly defensive side of 1974.

"On paper it is better than the team of '74, but obviously we will need to see how it looks closer to the World Cup".