Basle, Switzerland  - World champions Italy settled for a scoreless draw against Switzerland Wednesday in a friendly that opened their season before the last round of qualifying games for the 2010 World Cup.

The Azzurri produced an unusually fast start compared to the dull showings at the Confederations Cup in June, but still failed to convert their dominance into goals as Alberto Gilardino failed to get on the end of two good crosses before the break.

At the other end of the pitch, there was real trouble for Gianluigi Buffon on 34 minutes, when Tranquillo Barnetta shook the bar above him off an assist from the inspired Blaise Kufo.

Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was ready to intervene to control efforts from Gianluca Zambrotta and Claudio Marchisio, who debuted with defender Domenico Criscito after several games with Italy's youth team.

The game was crucial also for captain Fabio Cannavaro, who is now Italy's most capped footballer with 127 appearances and lived up to his 2006 FIFA World Player award with a virtually flawless performance in defence.

Italy lost part of their grit late into the first half and ran another risk after the break when Barnetta botched an inviting chance after a pass-and-go with Kufo.

Cannavaro and Chiellini provided good protection to Buffon as Kufo and Marco Padalino, a midfielder from Serie A side Sampdoria, tried to break through the Azzurri's defence, while Vincenzo Iaquinta threatened after coming on for Gilardino.

Iaquinta came close off good passes from Juventus team mate Marchisio and substitute Gaetano D'Agostino before Fabio Quagliarella, also a substitute, found the opposition of Benaglio as he spurted into the area.

Eren Derdiyok provided a last thrill to the Swiss crowd at the St Jakob Park when he fired in shot that Buffon brilliantly deflected, while Quagliarella had a drive blocked by defender Stephane Grichting and Cannavaro missed off a corner kick in the dying seconds. (dpa)