Italy coach Marcello Lippi has a defensive headache going into Friday's clash with shock quarter-finalists Ukraine as Alessandro Nesta has ruled himself out of the match with a groin injury.

The 30-year-old AC Milan star missed the 1-0 win over Australia with the problem he picked up in the group game against the Czech Republic.

He said: "I had another visit to the clinic at Duisburg and there is still a little problem but I have made a lot of improvement.

"I won't be ready for Friday's game, but I am confident and the doctor is confident that I will be ready for the semi-final if there will be one for us.

Nesta's replacement for the Australia game, Marco Materazzi, is suspended after being sent off against the Socceroos. Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli is expected to partner captain Fabio Cannavaro in the centre of defence.

Lippi is also expected to recall Francesco Totti to his starting line-up in place of Alessandro Del Piero, after leaving the AS Roma star on the bench for the Australia game.

Midfielder Daniele De Rossi is serving the third of a four-match ban after being sent off in the draw with the USA.

Ukraine have endured some mixed news in the build-up to the game after their dour penalty shootout success against Switzerland in the first knockout stage.

Vyacheslav Sviderskiy and Andriy Rusol are available after serving their suspensions, but Dmytro Chygrinskyy and Andriy Voronin have been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with thigh injuries.

Volodymyr Yezerskiy also picked up a thigh injury in training earlier this month and has missed the last three games.

Coach Oleg Blokhin is expecting a difficult game in Hamburg, saying: "The Italians are a tough team, particularly strong at the back. It will be difficult to create chances against them."