After winning group F with seven points, the Italians are up against group G runners up Australia in the game that will be staged in Kaiserslautern on Monday.

"All teams who arrive to next round deserve respect," Totti was quoted as saying by Sky Sports Network on Sunday.

"So you can't make the mistake of undervaluing your opponents even if they don't have a big footballing tradition."

In the 2002 World Cup, Italy suffered a surprising exit against underdogs Korea who were coached by current Australia manager Guus Hiddink.

Now, Totti says he and his team mates learned the lesson.

"Here in Germany we have settled down and we want to stay," the AS Roma captain said.

"With the last 16 round, you can't fail in a match, if you lose you come back home."