GOALKEEPERS
GIANLUIGI BUFFON (Juventus, 28/01/78)
Buffon has the art of making stunning saves look easy and that was the case at the 2006 World Cup, where he only conceded twice in the tournament, one of which was an own goal. The Juventus number one has incredible skills, great hands that can reach anything and accurate kicking and is rated the top goalkeeper in the world. He has struggled with back problems this campaign but his contribution has been crucial for Juve to have the second best defensive line in Italy's top flight.
MARCO AMELIA (Livorno, 02/04/82)
Buffon´s understudy has always been ready to deliver when called upon. Amelia has shaken off muscular injuries this campaign at Livorno and will be eager to prove his worth at a major tournament.
MATTEO SERENI (Torino, 11/02/75)
Sereni has enjoyed a first-team role at Torino this season for the first time in three years, having been a bench-warmer at former club Lazio. Will only be involved if there is an injury to Buffon or Amelia.
DEFENDERS
FABIO CANNAVARO (Real Madrid, 13/09/73)
A tireless worker and an ever-present figure in the heart of Italy's defence. Despite his lack of height the Azzurri skipper is strong in the air and possesses excellent timing, speed and anticipation. Having adapted to La Liga in his second season with Real Madrid, the former Juve star will be eager to add the European title to the world title he led the Azzurri to in 2006.
MASSIMO ODDO (AC Milan, 14/06/76)
Coach Roberto Donadoni will be hoping to have Oddo in full fitness for the tournament with the AC Milan player still recovering from knee surgery. Oddo's strength is always pressing forward on the right with the ability to serve up the perfect cross, but is strong and always able to get back.
MARCO MATERAZZI (Inter Milan, 19/08/73)
The oldest player in the national team set-up who will probably always be best remembered as the victim of Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 World Cup final. Regarded as a hard man to beat, he uses his height well, both on defence and attack and has made a solid partnership with Cannavaro.
GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA (Barcelona, 19/02/77)
In his second season with Barcelona, the former Juventus player can deliver great quantity and good quality passes. The utility player can play, if necessary, on the left or in midfield, giving Donadoni plenty of options.
FABIO GROSSO (Lyon, 23/01/77)
Italy´s surprise player of the 2006 tournament in Germany, Grosso scored his team's winning penalty in the final shoot-out that denied France their second World Cup success. The former Inter left-back was the highest-profile signing for Lyon last summer and has adapted well to Ligue 1.
ANDREA BARZAGLI (Palermo, 08/05/81)
His tackling and marking ability is unsurpassed but a lack of consistency and flair going forward have hurt his chances of earning a regular spot as a starter for the Azzurri. The Palermo skipper is nevertheless the number one alternative to Cannavaro and Materazzi.
GIORGIO CHIELLINI (Juventus, 14/08/84)
Power, acceleration and explosiveness are among the attributes of the Juventus centre-back, who can also play at left-back. Chiellini has consolidated his role at Juve this season and will have plenty to offer the Azzurri this summer.
MIDFIELDERS
MAURO CAMORANESI (Juventus, 04/10/76)
The Argentina-born right winger provides accelerating bursts, skilful touches, crosses and bursts into the box. The 31-year-old has struggled with injury woes this campaign but is still Donadoni´s preferred choice for the left wing.
GENNARO GATTUSO (AC Milan, 09/01/78)
His outspoken character and grit on the pitch making him a favourite among fans. His job is to stifle the opposition attack before it gets organised and turn the ball over to his more flashy team-mates.
ANDREA PIRLO (AC Milan, 19/05/79)
A master at free-kick taking, Pirlo has become a pivotal player for both club and country. The deep playmaker sets the rhythm of Italy's attacks and his set-pieces terrorise goalkeepers.
MASSIMO AMBROSINI (AC Milan, 29/05/77)
A neat, tidy central midfielder, Ambrosini is also strong in the tackle with good distribution skills. He has been at Milan since 1995. Although he missed out on the World Cup in 2006, he has featured in Euro 2008 qualifiers.
DANIELE DE ROSSI (Roma, 24/07/83)
Since his expulsion for a dreadful elbow on American striker Brian McBride at the 2006 World Cup, De Rossi has shown a lot of maturity as his role at Roma grew. He breaks up opponents´ moves, plays in front of defence and has physical strength. His ability in the air and shooting accuracy have earned him a regular spot in Donadoni's starting XI.
ALBERTO AQUILANI (Roma, 07/07/84)
The Roma attacking midfielder has passing ability and vision while he can kick with either foot. He still has areas of his game which he can improve - his aerial ability needs to get better for one. Capped on numerous occasions at under-21 level, Aquilani was handed his debut under Donadoni in a November 2006 friendly against Turkey.
SIMONE PERROTTA (Roma, 17/09/77)
Perrotta is often used as a left winger for the national team despite playing in an attacking midfield position for club Roma. He played at Euro 2004 and was a member of Italy's World Cup-winning squad in Germany. He has been in good shape for Roma this season, providing countless assists.
STRIKERS
LUCA TONI (Bayern Munich, 26/05/77)
Since moving to Bayern Munich last summer from Fiorentina, Toni has shone in the Bundesliga. The tall target man has grown from strength to strength to become one of the most rated forwards in Europe. He scores with his head, with power, and has good agility for a big man. But he also makes goals for others.
ANTONIO DI NATALE (Udinese, 13/10/77)
Di Natale is versatile enough to play in any attacking position and Donadoni has made sure to use the player while at the top of his career. A regular in the starting XI since Donadoni took over, Di Natale has proved deadly in the 18-yard box.
MARCO BORRIELLO (Genoa, 18/06/82)
His spectacular form while on loan at Genoa this season from AC Milan has earned scoring sensation Borriello a place in Italy´s side. He made his debut with the national team in February and his ability to get poacher's goals make him the ace up Donadoni's sleeve when a game is slipping away.
FABIO QUAGLIARELLA (Udinese, 31/10/83)
The Udinese striker, who has been linked with Manchester United in the past, marked his first Azzurri start with a sensational brace in Italy´s 2-0 victory in Lithuania in a Euro 2008 qualifier in June 2007. His ability to dribble, head, volley and finish make the 24-year-old one of the hot prospects going into this summer´s tournament.
ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO (Juventus, 09/11/74)
A loyal star of Juventus, the veteran striker has proved this season he has not lost the natural instinct for goals having reached double figures for the Bianconeri. A skilful player, deadly finisher and free-kick specialist, Del Piero will be a luxury subtitute for the Azzurri.
VINCENZO IAQUINTA (Juventus, 21/11/79)
Having spent seven years as the main man at Udinese, few could have expected Iaquinta to make the transition to second striker with such apparent ease in his first season at Juventus. His partnership with David Trezeguet is the envy of Juve's top-flight rivals. He is versatile, able to play as first or second striker or even out wide. He has a powerful shot and is good with his head.
Buffon has the art of making stunning saves look easy and that was the case at the 2006 World Cup, where he only conceded twice in the tournament, one of which was an own goal. The Juventus number one has incredible skills, great hands that can reach anything and accurate kicking and is rated the top goalkeeper in the world. He has struggled with back problems this campaign but his contribution has been crucial for Juve to have the second best defensive line in Italy's top flight.
MARCO AMELIA (Livorno, 02/04/82)
Buffon´s understudy has always been ready to deliver when called upon. Amelia has shaken off muscular injuries this campaign at Livorno and will be eager to prove his worth at a major tournament.
MATTEO SERENI (Torino, 11/02/75)
Sereni has enjoyed a first-team role at Torino this season for the first time in three years, having been a bench-warmer at former club Lazio. Will only be involved if there is an injury to Buffon or Amelia.
DEFENDERS
FABIO CANNAVARO (Real Madrid, 13/09/73)
A tireless worker and an ever-present figure in the heart of Italy's defence. Despite his lack of height the Azzurri skipper is strong in the air and possesses excellent timing, speed and anticipation. Having adapted to La Liga in his second season with Real Madrid, the former Juve star will be eager to add the European title to the world title he led the Azzurri to in 2006.
MASSIMO ODDO (AC Milan, 14/06/76)
Coach Roberto Donadoni will be hoping to have Oddo in full fitness for the tournament with the AC Milan player still recovering from knee surgery. Oddo's strength is always pressing forward on the right with the ability to serve up the perfect cross, but is strong and always able to get back.
MARCO MATERAZZI (Inter Milan, 19/08/73)
The oldest player in the national team set-up who will probably always be best remembered as the victim of Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 World Cup final. Regarded as a hard man to beat, he uses his height well, both on defence and attack and has made a solid partnership with Cannavaro.
GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA (Barcelona, 19/02/77)
In his second season with Barcelona, the former Juventus player can deliver great quantity and good quality passes. The utility player can play, if necessary, on the left or in midfield, giving Donadoni plenty of options.
FABIO GROSSO (Lyon, 23/01/77)
Italy´s surprise player of the 2006 tournament in Germany, Grosso scored his team's winning penalty in the final shoot-out that denied France their second World Cup success. The former Inter left-back was the highest-profile signing for Lyon last summer and has adapted well to Ligue 1.
ANDREA BARZAGLI (Palermo, 08/05/81)
His tackling and marking ability is unsurpassed but a lack of consistency and flair going forward have hurt his chances of earning a regular spot as a starter for the Azzurri. The Palermo skipper is nevertheless the number one alternative to Cannavaro and Materazzi.
GIORGIO CHIELLINI (Juventus, 14/08/84)
Power, acceleration and explosiveness are among the attributes of the Juventus centre-back, who can also play at left-back. Chiellini has consolidated his role at Juve this season and will have plenty to offer the Azzurri this summer.
MIDFIELDERS
MAURO CAMORANESI (Juventus, 04/10/76)
The Argentina-born right winger provides accelerating bursts, skilful touches, crosses and bursts into the box. The 31-year-old has struggled with injury woes this campaign but is still Donadoni´s preferred choice for the left wing.
GENNARO GATTUSO (AC Milan, 09/01/78)
His outspoken character and grit on the pitch making him a favourite among fans. His job is to stifle the opposition attack before it gets organised and turn the ball over to his more flashy team-mates.
ANDREA PIRLO (AC Milan, 19/05/79)
A master at free-kick taking, Pirlo has become a pivotal player for both club and country. The deep playmaker sets the rhythm of Italy's attacks and his set-pieces terrorise goalkeepers.
MASSIMO AMBROSINI (AC Milan, 29/05/77)
A neat, tidy central midfielder, Ambrosini is also strong in the tackle with good distribution skills. He has been at Milan since 1995. Although he missed out on the World Cup in 2006, he has featured in Euro 2008 qualifiers.
DANIELE DE ROSSI (Roma, 24/07/83)
Since his expulsion for a dreadful elbow on American striker Brian McBride at the 2006 World Cup, De Rossi has shown a lot of maturity as his role at Roma grew. He breaks up opponents´ moves, plays in front of defence and has physical strength. His ability in the air and shooting accuracy have earned him a regular spot in Donadoni's starting XI.
ALBERTO AQUILANI (Roma, 07/07/84)
The Roma attacking midfielder has passing ability and vision while he can kick with either foot. He still has areas of his game which he can improve - his aerial ability needs to get better for one. Capped on numerous occasions at under-21 level, Aquilani was handed his debut under Donadoni in a November 2006 friendly against Turkey.
SIMONE PERROTTA (Roma, 17/09/77)
Perrotta is often used as a left winger for the national team despite playing in an attacking midfield position for club Roma. He played at Euro 2004 and was a member of Italy's World Cup-winning squad in Germany. He has been in good shape for Roma this season, providing countless assists.
STRIKERS
LUCA TONI (Bayern Munich, 26/05/77)
Since moving to Bayern Munich last summer from Fiorentina, Toni has shone in the Bundesliga. The tall target man has grown from strength to strength to become one of the most rated forwards in Europe. He scores with his head, with power, and has good agility for a big man. But he also makes goals for others.
ANTONIO DI NATALE (Udinese, 13/10/77)
Di Natale is versatile enough to play in any attacking position and Donadoni has made sure to use the player while at the top of his career. A regular in the starting XI since Donadoni took over, Di Natale has proved deadly in the 18-yard box.
MARCO BORRIELLO (Genoa, 18/06/82)
His spectacular form while on loan at Genoa this season from AC Milan has earned scoring sensation Borriello a place in Italy´s side. He made his debut with the national team in February and his ability to get poacher's goals make him the ace up Donadoni's sleeve when a game is slipping away.
FABIO QUAGLIARELLA (Udinese, 31/10/83)
The Udinese striker, who has been linked with Manchester United in the past, marked his first Azzurri start with a sensational brace in Italy´s 2-0 victory in Lithuania in a Euro 2008 qualifier in June 2007. His ability to dribble, head, volley and finish make the 24-year-old one of the hot prospects going into this summer´s tournament.
ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO (Juventus, 09/11/74)
A loyal star of Juventus, the veteran striker has proved this season he has not lost the natural instinct for goals having reached double figures for the Bianconeri. A skilful player, deadly finisher and free-kick specialist, Del Piero will be a luxury subtitute for the Azzurri.
VINCENZO IAQUINTA (Juventus, 21/11/79)
Having spent seven years as the main man at Udinese, few could have expected Iaquinta to make the transition to second striker with such apparent ease in his first season at Juventus. His partnership with David Trezeguet is the envy of Juve's top-flight rivals. He is versatile, able to play as first or second striker or even out wide. He has a powerful shot and is good with his head.
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