"When the team is strong like that, that's fine. I'm satisfied with everything," coach Lippi said afterwards, even though his side failed to score against Ukraine, who will play in their first World Cup later this month.

"I think our players showed a good frame of mind this evening," he added, praising their "serenity" and "enthusiasm".

Italy showed far greater creativity and verve up front than during their 1-1 draw against Switzerland earlier in the week, and were largely denied by Dynamo Kiev goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskyi.

The Italians' clearest chance came in the 44th minute when a curling close-range half volley by Roma's Daniele De Rossi was tipped aside.

Shovkovskyi kept his side in the game on several other occasions thwarting the Italian strikers and stopping two thumping shots by second half substitute Francesco Totti, playing only his second comeback game since injury.

"They've all done great work over the past fortnight, especially Totti, who's improving day by day, as well as (Luca) Toni and (Alberto) Gilardino," Lippi said.

Italy shone particularly on the right, where Lazio's Massimo Oddo, playing as wing-back breaking from defence combined well with Mauro Camoranesi.

The Juventus midfielder injected vigour into the Azzurri's midfield until he was replaced, sweeping up the ball and creating most of the Italian chances.

Alessandro Nesta provided a commanding presence on his return to the Italian defence until his substitution, but the Italians looked vulnerable on long balls.

A shaven Alessandro Del Piero appeared cumbersome, making up for his lack of speed with sharp passing on the few times he shrugged off close marking by Donetsk defender Anatolii Tymoschuk.

Playing without the injured Andriy Shevchencko, the injury-plagued Ukrainians rarely appeared close to taking advantage of their few chances.

Their best player, Leverkusen striker Andriy Voronin, was repeatedly let down by his teammates' inaccurate passing, and coach Oleg Blokhin must be worried as the team heads for Germany.

Gianluigi Buffon in the Italian goal was barely troubled until the 79th minute, when he saved at the feet of Voronin.

Italian coach Lippi made five changes early in the second half. Totti replaced Del Piero, taking time to edge into the game, only to be deprived by Shivkoyski.

"We have just played two games against very different and strong teams, and I think that scoring a goal against Switzerland and a draw against Ukraine are two good results," said Lippi.