by Paul Visca, SerieA.tv

Marcello Lippi did not enjoy a sweet return to the bench of the national team as Italy struggled to a 2-2 draw with Austria on Wednesday.

However, the 60-year-old remained upbeat with his first match in charge for two years after watching his players bridge a two goal deficit in the friendly played in Nice, France.

He said: "I am satisfied, even with the result, which is always important. It was not easy against opponents further on in their preparation than us and physically very strong. "Also I'm not used to finding ourselves two goals down after half an hour."

The Azzurri started strongly but were punished for slack defending by Emanuel Pogatetz on 14 minutes and Marc Janko on 39 and the World Cup winning coach admitted the central defensive pairing of Daniele Bonera and Andrea Barzagli was not destined to be the number one choice at the heart of the defence when the first team regulars recover from injury.

He said: "We improvised with Bonera and Barzagli, but it's not liking pressing a button and it works. So on a couple of occasions we got caught out.

"[Fabio] Cannavaro and [Marco] Materazzi are our tried and tested, [Giorgio] Chiellini and [Alessandro] Gamberini have the future secured and one will be fit for September."

The former Juventus trainer also admitted the goal which earned the share of the spoils came from a stroke of luck when substitute goalkeeper Ramazan Ozcan punched the ball into his own net at the midway point of the second half after Alberto Gilardino had halved Austria's lead in first half injury time.

He said: "It's true we were fortunate with the equalising goal but we had created other chances and anyway I rediscovered the winning spirit.

" The lads did well because they looked to win the game. They conceded us only the space to play on the flanks and we did well to exploit it and we looked to claim the victory until the end."

Cesar unveils Totti fear

Julio Cesar has identified Francesco Totti as the striker he fears most.

The Inter goalkeeper could meet the AS Roma frontman as early as Sunday when the Nerazzurri will attempt to retain the Italian Super Cup against the side from the capital, although the Giallorossi captain has still not recovered full fitness following knee surgery at the close of last season and may not be risked.

He said: "I have great respect for Totti as he has always scored against me, in every way possible — shot from distance, chip, free kick."

Despite solid defensive performances throughout the pre-season with Walter Samuel, Ivan Cordoba, Cristian Chivu and Marco Materazzi all on the treatment table, the Brazil international called on the reigning champions' injured defenders to return to full fitness as quickly they possibly can with the season proper set to get underway the weekend of August 30/31.

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He said: "We are extremely solid even with almost all the defence out of action but in [Ivan] Cambiasso we have uncovered an unexpected surprise.

" He is really exceptional but I naturally hope that our central defenders return as soon as possible."

Jose Mourinho has little choice but to field Nelson Rivas and Nicolas Burdisso at the heart of the Milan outfit's defence against last season's Italian Cup winners with Cambiasso taking up his normal position in midfield.

Menez eyes capital switch

AS Roma's summer spending may not be over after Jeremy Menez confirmed that the capital side are keeping tabs on him.

The forward currently plays for AS Monaco and revealed that the Giallorossi have watched him in action in the French Ligue 1 even though last season's Serie A runners-up have recently spent 9million euro to lure Julio Baptista from Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old said: "I'm aware of Roma's interest, they have already spoken to my agent and I know they watched me play against Nantes. I'm waiting to see how the situation unfolds.

"Roma is a great club, amongst the best in Europe, and it's pleasing to know they are interested in me. I don't know if my club wants to sell me, but if the directors considered my sale as good business, and it also satisfied me then I could leave."

Luciano Spalletti has called for at least two reinforcements before the season gets underway and the support striker fits into the coach's tactical set-up.

The former Sochaux player would make up for the loss of fellow Frenchman Ludovic Giuly who returned to his homeland earlier in the summer as well as signal a strong sign of intent from the Italian Cup holders that they intend to keep pace with the other big clubs in the race to clinch the Serie A crown.

Appiah dream hangs on Tiago

Stephen Appiah has revealed he would leap at the chance to return to Juventus.

The powerful midfielder is a free agent after being released by Fenerbahce due to an injury aggravated when helping the side win the Turkish league title even if a post-operation complication caused a life-threatening thrombosis and admitted another chance at the Turin giants would be a dream come true.

He said: "I feel stronger and more mature after all that has happened and I'm bursting to get back on the pitch. I'm sure that whatever team I'll play for I'll unleash the anger I've pent up over these terrible months.

"If that team should be Juventus, it would be a dream. Nobody refuses Juventus and I'm confident I could give more than I did in my first experience there."

The Ghana international appeared for the Bianconeri for two seasons from 2003 to 2005, winning the Italian Super Cup and league title, and although Claudio Ranieri has insisted transfer market activities have been concluded the muscle problems which have beset Cristiano Zanetti have left the experienced coach devoid of playmakers.

Any move for the 27-year-old however is tied to the future of Tiago Mendes who appears set to refuse a move to Everton. It would be the second refusal by the Portuguese midfielder to return to the English Premier League as he declined the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur in January.

The Old Lady will therefore continue to pay the former Chelsea man's €5 million a year salary despite knowing he will be further marginalised from the first team following another unimpressive close season for the Portugal international.

Paul Visca is a writer and match commentator for SerieA.TV and contributes Italian soccer news for FoxSoccer.com.