Position: Midfielder
Born: 30.04.78
Club: Palermo

The understudy to Rino Gattuso at international level, Simone Barone made his debut for Italy in February 2004 and has won only a handful of caps since.

Two of those came in qualifying for this tournament as the midfielder sought - successfully as it turned out - to force his way into the final 23-man squad.

Something of a destroyer, the 28-year-old's main strength is stopping opposing midfielders from bursting forward but he also has a powerful shot when he is given licence to do so.

Currently performing with his usual high level of consistency in Serie A for Palermo, Barone lists Chemo and Parma among his former employers.