Player	Team, Age, Caps, Goals
1-Gianluigi Buffon	(Juventus) Born: 28.1.78 Caps: 26 Goals: 0.
Made league debut at 16 and became Italy's second youngest goalkeeper of all time when he made his full debut in 1997. Missed out on Euro 2000 after a suffering a broken hand on the eve of the tournament, but quickly regained his spot as first choice under coach Giovanni Trapattoni.
22-Francesco Toldo	(Inter Milan) Born: 2.12.71 Caps: 22 Goals: 0.
A fine all-rounder who dominates his area, he had an excellent Euro 2000 after Buffon's injury gave him his chance. Like his rival, Toldo switched clubs in the summer, leaving Fiorentina for Inter, and his command of his defense has been a vital part of the club's success this season.
12-Christian Abbiati	(AC Milan) Born: 8.7.77 Caps: 0 Goals: 0.
Was part of Italy's victorious Euro 2000 under-21 squad and was also third choice for Dino Zoff at Euro 2000. Courageous but not always confident, Abbiati has become Milan's first choice ahead of veteran Sebastiano Rossi and has matured this season into one of the most respected keepers in Serie A.
Player	Team, Age, Caps, Goals
5-Fabio Cannavaro (Parma)	Born: 13.9.73 Caps: 58 Goals: 0.
Established himself with an outstanding World Cup in France, together with Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini, Cannavaro makes up a formidable back-line that has continued untouched throughout the Trapattoni era. Makes up for his lack of height with great positioning, pace and timing and has the all-round ability needed for a three-man defense. Widely expected to leave Parma after the World Cup and there are no shortage of suitors.
13-Alessandro Nesta	(Lazio) Born: 19.3.76 Caps: 43 Goals: 0.
The lynchpin of the Italian defense, Nesta has everything that is expected of an Italy center-half. His tackling is immaculate, his reading of the game is astute and he is commanding in the air. Trapattoni will be praying that troublesome muscle injuries do not flare up before the finals -- there are alternatives but none come close to matching his qualities.
3-Paolo Maldini	(AC Milan) Born: 26.6.68 Caps: 122 Goals: 7.
Heading for his fourth consecutive World Cup, Maldini, Italy's most capped player of all time, has been widely regarded as the best left-back in the world for the past decade. Has been wise enough to adapt as he has aged and now restricts his bursts forward but is just as effective as ever in his defensive tasks. His father, former Italy boss Cesare, will also be at the finals as coach of Paraguay.
2-Christian Panucci	(AS Roma) Born: 12.4.73 Caps: 24 Goals: 2.
After unhappy spells with Inter Milan, Chelsea and Monaco, his career has been rescued by his mentor Fabio Capello and his form this season for Roma has taken him to the finals. Emerged at Capello's AC Milan and followed his coach to Real Madrid before his career went off the rails after clashes with Marcello Lippi at Inter.
15-Mark Iuliano	(Juventus) Born: 12.8.73 Caps: 16 Goals: 1.
It shows the limited choices available to Trapattoni in defense that a player unable to win a regular starting place at Juventus has made the squad. Not in the mould of the classic Italian defender, Iuliano is robust and diligent but lacks the cultivated touch of Maldini, for whom he is an option as back-up on the left.
23-Marco Materazzi	(Inter Milan) Born: 19.08.73 Caps: 7 Goals: 0.
After a year in England with Everton, this tall centre-half had two excellent seasons with Perugia and broke into the Italy team for the friendly with South Africa in April 2001. That brought him to the attention of Inter Milan and this season Materazzi, an uncomplicated but effective defender, has been in outstanding form. First choice replacement for Cannavaro or Nesta.
4-Francesco Coco	(Barcelona) Born: 8.1.77 Caps: 13 Goals: 0.
Broke through early last season with his dazzling displays wide on the left for AC Milan and made a superb debut in 3-0 qualifying win over Romania. Moved to Barcelona after falling out with Turkish coach Fatih Terim at Milan, but is far from happy in Spain. Trapattoni has backed him in a difficult season.
Player	Team, Age, Caps, Goals
19-Gianluca Zambrotta	(Juventus) Born: 19.2.77 Caps: 23 Goals: 0.
Usually deployed on the right flank but by no means a winger, Zambrotta operates from area to area and his ability to close down space makes him essential to Trapattoni's tactics. His place in the squad looks secure but he is considered a safe rather than adventurous choice.
8-Gennaro Gattuso	(AC Milan) Born: 9.1.78 Caps: 13 Goals: 1.
A modern-day Romeo Benetti, the tigerish heart of Italy's 1978 World Cup side, Gattuso is tenacious and aggressive, sometimes overstepping the line. A favorite with Milan fans due to his enthusiasm and willingness to shake-up opposition playmakers, Gattuso is far more than just a destroyer, possessing a fierce shot and the ability to keep things ticking in midfield with simple but effective passing.
17-Damiano Tommasi	(AS Roma) Born: 17.5.74 Caps: 14 Goals: 1.
Like Gattuso, Tommasi's main attribute is his work-rate but he offers more than the Milan man in the final third of the field where his experience of feeding Francesco Totti at club level could give him the edge. Helped Roma to their first title in 18 years last season. An all-rounder appreciated by Trapattoni.
6-Cristiano Zanetti	(Inter Milan) Born: 14.4.77 Caps: 4 Goals: 0.
Loaned to Roma last season, Zanetti came of age under Fabio Capello, helping them to the Italian title before Inter realized their error and brought him back. Has flourished ever since and made his Italy debut in November's friendly in Japan, where his tenacious yet cultured play instantly won Trapattoni's approval.
11-Cristiano Doni	(Atalanta) Born: 1.4.73 Caps: 3 Goals: 1.
A late developer, Doni was the inspiration behind Atalanta's sparking return to Serie A last season and his continued form this term earned him a debut against Japan in November 2001. A creative midfielder, comfortable wide on the left flank or in a more central role, he is widely considered the unofficial deputy to Francesco Totti.
16-Angelo Di Livio	(Fiorentina) Born: 26.7.66 Caps: 38 Goals: 0.
His Italy career looked over when Juventus let him go to Fiorentina in 1999 but Trapattoni, who worked with the industrious right-sided midfielder in Florence, values his experience and his often undervalued qualities. Unlikely to play more than a fringe role although Trapattoni has frequently used him as a calming influence in the tense latter stages of games.
14-Luigi Di Biagio	(Inter Milan) Born: 3.6.71 Caps: 28 Goals: 2.
Another player who has survived the changes brought in by Trapattoni largely because of his never-say-die attitude and his impressive consistency. A highly competitive, defensive central midfielder, Di Biagio also has a thunderbolt drive which is particularly effective from long-range free-kicks. Shone at France '98.
Player	Team, Age, Caps, Goals
21-Christian Vieri	(Inter Milan) Born: 12.7.73 Caps: 24 Goals: 10.
After an impressive France 98, Vieri missed Euro 2000 due to injury but heads into this year's tournament in the form of his life, his blistering scoring helping Inter to mount their title bid which narrowly failed. Played for nine clubs in nine years, but after a difficult first two years with Inter, Vieri now seems to finally have put down roots. An old-fashioned powerhouse striker, Vieri is deadly in the air, strong on the ball and is capable of unleashing a thundering drive. Fitness problems robbed him of the chance to gel with Totti in qualifying but Trapattoni is banking on the potential of that pairing.
7-Alessandro Del Piero	(Juventus) Born: 9.11.74 Caps: 49 Goals: 17.
One of Italian football's most popular players, was part of the 1998 World Cup squad, though many believe he has never fully recovered from the knee operation he underwent later that year. While the turn of pace may be lost, Del Piero can still produce the unexpected with a moment of rare skill. Faces a fight for the right to partner Vieri.
9-Filippo Inzaghi	(AC Milan) Born: 9.8.73 Caps: 38 Goals: 15.
A prolific striker who is a nightmare for man-marking defenders due to his pace, sharp turns and ability to win penalties. "Pippo" lost his starting place at Juventus to France's David Trezeguet and moved to AC Milan in the summer where he made a flying start before a knee injury halted his progress and at one point jeopardized his trip to the finals.
20-Vincenzo Montella	(AS Roma) Born: 18.6.74 Caps: 14 Goals: 3.
Included as a backup striker for Euro 2000 and seems destined for a similar role now after injury robbed him of much of this season. A key part of Roma's 2001 title-winning side, his understanding with Totti could, however, prove to be an asset and his infectious running, lively movement and clinical finishing may yet give Trapattoni a selection headache in attack.
18-Marco Delvecchio	(AS Roma) Born: 7.4.73 Caps: 16 Goals: 3.
Gangly and at times ungainly in appearance, Delvecchio could cover for Vieri, although he is more effective for Roma on the left flank. A hardworking and unselfish striker who is rarely given credit for the space he creates for others, such as Totti and Montella, Delvecchio almost became a national hero with his opening goal in the Euro 2000 final.
10-Francesco Totti	(AS Roma) Born: 27.9.76 Caps: 29 Goals: 5.
Recognised as a talent since he making his debut for Roma as a 16-year-old back in 1993, Dino Zoff struggled to find the right position for him at Euro 2000. Trapattoni, though, has built the side around his creative talents. At his best playing behind two strikers and given the freedom to roam, Totti's passing is at times sublime, whether it be a perfectly-timed slip through a gap to a striker or a sweeping 30-metre pinpoint crossfield ball. His form will be crucial to Italy's World Cup hopes.