World Cup Final: Italy
July 8, 2006
GIANLUIGI BUFFON
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Juventus
Age: 28
Caps: 66
Been in imperious form throughout the tournament, seemingly thriving off the external pressures of allegations about his betting on matches, Juventus being threatened with demotion for alleged match-fixing and the apparent suicide attempt of former team-mate Gianluca Pessotto. Conceded just one goal - an own goal - and cuts a calm and authoritative presence in the area.
GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA
Position: Fullback
Club: Juventus
Age: 29
Caps: 57
Outstanding at right back and had stunning match against Ukraine - scoring a rare goal, clearing off the line twice and setting up Luca Toni for the third goal. Seemingly inspired by Pessotto's predicament - he and Alessandro Del Piero returned briefly to Turin to see him in hospital - and adds valuable pace and an attacking threat.
FABIO CANNAVARO
Position: Centre-half
Club: Juventus
Age: 32
Caps: 99
Another of the Juventus defensive pillars. Has been excellent, earning praise from every opponent as the relatively small central defender has never looked troubled, tackled brilliantly and led by example. Looking to avenge Italy's defeat by France in the 1998 quarter-finals and if he keeps his form for the final then he may well see that come true.
MARCO MATERAZZI
Position: Centre-half
Club: Inter Milan
Age: 32
Caps: 31
Everton fans may be stunned to see Materazzi in a World Cup final after a mediocre stay there in 1998/99, however a return to Italy sparked a renaissance in the hard man central defender. Plays the bad cop to Cannavaro's good cop. Not as elegant on the ball as the injured Alessandro Nesta but effective. Scored in the 2-0 win over the Czech Republic but was sent off somewhat harshly in the second round match with Australia.
FABIO GROSSO
Position: Fullback
Club: Palermo
Age: 28
Caps: 22
A late developer who benefited from the form of Sicilian club Palermo in Serie A. Previous clubs such as Chieti and Teramo tell a story of unglamorous progress to the top, but has seized the opportunity and has made decisive contributions. His fall in the penalty area over an already prostrate Lucas Neill gave Italy an injury-time 1-0 victory over Australia while his stunning goal a minute from the end of extra-time spelled game over for Germany in the semi-final.
ANDREA PIRLO
Position: Midfield
Club: AC Milan
Age: 27
Caps: 30
While Grosso was the executioner against Germany, Pirlo was the orchestrator as his delightful pass set up the defender. Deservedly man of the match for the semi-final, he has also shown he can score, his free-kick sending Italy on their way in the opening match against Ghana. The AC Milan star is tireless, good in the tackle and has great vision. Stop Pirlo and Italy may cease to function.
GENNARO GATTUSO
Position: Midfield
Club: AC Milan
Age: 28
Caps: 46
Where Pirlo creates, Gattuso destroys. Short and stocky, he is the soul of both the AC Milan and Italy midfields. Snaps away at the heels of his opponents, sometimes too much for both their and the referee's liking, but managed to avoid a booking in the 2-0 win over Germany. Self-deprecatory and honest about his role, he was nonetheless described by Spanish paper El Pais as "more emblematic in world football than Ronaldinho". His clash with Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira promises to be not for the faint-hearted.
SIMONE PERROTTA
Position: Midfield
Club: AS Roma
Age: 29
Caps: 30
Aide de camp to Gattuso in putting up the barriers in midfield, although tends to get forward more often than the AC Milan dynamo. The English-born midfielder has had two chances at the international scene, having dropped out after the Euro 2004 debacle. A resurgence of form at AS Roma persuaded Marcello Lippi to recall him. Reliable and hard-working.
MAURO CAMORANESI
Position: Midfield
Club: Juventus
Age 29
Caps: 25
The Argentinean's initial selection by Giovanni Trapattoni caused uproar and he hasn't helped by not singing the national anthem. Has blown hot and cold here, hinted at doing something outstanding without managing to do so. The pony tailed wide midfielder has at times played like the journeyman he once was trawling along the South American and Mexican leagues. He is no Bruno Conti - the winger from the 1982-winning side - but Italy will hope he can produce something out of the ordinary.
FRANCESCO TOTTI
Position: Midfield
Club: AS Roma
Age: 29
Caps: 57
Which Totti will turn up? The one that held sway in the first-half of the semi-final with Germany or the one that disappeared from sight in the second-half? May be appearing on the international stage for the last time so will surely want to bow out in spectacular fashion. Too often he has been more show pony than the dynamic creator-in-chief but has partly answered his critics with the ice-cool penalty against the Australians.
LUCA TONI
Position: Striker
Club: Fiorentina
Age: 29
Caps: 23
Flourished at Palermo after years of honest endeavor at unglamorous clubs, earning big money move to Fiorentina. Tireless and selfless running alone up front got its reward with two goals against Ukraine, but was substituted by the time Italy struck twice against Germany. May be second choice behind Alberto Gilardino for final after latter impressed in the semi-final.
ALBERTO GILARDINO
Club: AC Milan
Age: 24
Caps: 23
One of the younger members of a mature side, his impressive goal scoring record at Parma failed to persuade Giovanni Trapattoni to put him in Euro 2004 squad. Marcello Lippi was not so hesitant and the smallish striker had a respectable debut season at AC Milan with 17 goals in 34 matches. Looked out of his depth early in the tournament but made a vibrant performance when sent on in the semi-final, hitting a post. More mobile and skilful than workhorse Toni.
ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO
Club: Juventus
Age: 31
Caps: 78
As mysterious a performer as Totti but earned a special place in Italian fans' hearts with the second goal that killed off Germany. An icon to Juventus fans after 13 years there, he is perhaps best used as an impact substitute these days as injuries and age have slowed him. Cast as a villain after underperforming in 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, but perhaps he and Totti can cap international careers by lifting the World Cup.