Italy ace: We enjoy our football

De Rossi aims to continue defying the odds

By Zain Alvi | 28th June 2012

Daniele De Rossi does not mind hearing suggestions that Italy will be unable to match the attractiveness of German and Spanish football. Instead, he is simply focused on enjoying the way his teammates have grown used to playing with each other.

De Rossi, often considered one of Azzurri‘s best midfielders alongside the highly acclaimed Andrea Pirlo, understands that Germany will likely start favorites in tonight’s semifinal meeting between the two sides but sees no reason for concern.

Having seen the Italians go unbeaten in Group C and calmly eliminate England on penalties in Sunday’s highly publicized quarterfinal, the Roma midfielder is simply relishing the journey his nation has been on since the beginning of Euro 2012.

“I feel comfortable in the Italy shirt. I am enjoying the football we play. It’s a very organized set-up, we play good football, and I get the chance to play alongside some amazing players so how can you not enjoy it? It’s a lot of fun,” De Rossi told UEFA’s official website.

He added: “The results we’ve been getting have obviously helped make it fun, and it’s a privilege to be considered an important player in this side.

“We can’t change the way we have been playing over the last two years. It would be wrong and pointless. This is a side that was born to play in a certain way; it has been nurtured to play football.”

De Rossi also categorically denied that the Italians will switch to a more defensive showing against Germany or Spain.

Having beaten the Germans 2-0 after extra-time in the 2006 World Cup semifinal and coming off a confident 1-1 draw against holders Spain in this tournament’s opener, the 28-year old has no doubts that the Italians will hold their own.

“We probably won’t dominate possession as much as we did against England and Ireland, but that’s simply because we will be playing opponents who, in my opinion and as results have proved, are stronger.

“It will be a great challenge, a more open game, but we won’t change the way we play,” he concluded.