Simone Perrotta surprised many an Italian sports writer when he became an ever-present starter in Marcello Lippi’s 2006 FIFA World Cup-winning side two years ago. Now it seems he must prove himself all over again to those who believe he will be omitted from the starting lineup against the Netherlands.

Paper talk
Every day the Italian dailies are crammed with theories and speculation surrounding the Azzurri’s probable 11 to face Marco van Basten’s Oranje on 9 June, but while they cannot decide on whether Roberto Donadoni will deploy a 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1, they all appear to concur on one thing - that Perrotta will not start on opening day. However, the energetic 30-year-old believes the ‘giornalisti’ have got it wrong and history would appear to be on his side. “People were saying that I wouldn’t play two years ago in Germany but then the coach played me in the first game and I stayed in midfield throughout the campaign,” he said. “I hope that the same thing happens here but either way I feel very cool about it.”
Roma contingent
If Donadoni does decide to go with a 4-5-1 formation, Perrotta would certainly fancy his chances of starting, having thrived in an attacking midfield role for his club over the last two seasons. Furthermore, Perrotta is surrounded by three AS Roma colleagues who are equally familiar with the system: Daniele De Rossi, Alberto Aquilani and Christian Panucci. “To recreate the Roma formula exactly would be too difficult to do here,” said Perrotta. “It took us a long time to get there with Roma and it was a long learning curve. I don’t think I’ve been left out of the equation, though. I can play in a midfield with two wingers. My characteristics are well suited to our tactics and I’m ready to give my all.”

Military service
The last time Italy played the Netherlands was in the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2000™, when the Azzurri won through on penalties. That Amsterdam encounter passed Perrotta by, however, as he was then serving his country in an altogether different capacity. “I don’t remember much about it because I was doing my military service,” he explained. “But team-mates who were there said that it was hugely satisfying to win in that way - going down to ten men against eleven early on. But then there was disappointment of losing in the final.”

‘Strength and self-awareness’
The ghosts of that painful 2-1 golden-goal defeat were laid to rest two years ago when Italy beat France in the World Cup final and, according to Perrotta, a winning mentality now prevails in the Azzurri camp. “We know that we have a very tough group stage awaiting us but we are ready,” he said. “Compared to two years ago we are calmer because winning the World Cup has given us strength and self-awareness. We know that we will have to play a lot of good sides in this European Championship but we also know our worth.”

Simone Perrotta, Cavaliere Ufficiale OMRI, (born 17 September 1977 in Ashton-under-Lyne, England) is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer midfielder, who currently plays for A.S. Roma in Serie A. He was member of the Italian national football team that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He can operate as a box to box midfielder, on either wing, as a central attacking midfielder and as midfield enforcer. Although he may lack some of the sublime skills of his Italian peers, Perrotta makes up for it with his unlimited energy, tackling ability, teamwork and will to win. He is often used in an attacking role and surges up field and even goes for goal.

Perrotta lived in England until the age of 6, attending school at St. Ann’s primary school in Ashton-under-Lyne. His parents, Francesco and Anna Maria ran a pub in Ashton and lived on Fitzroy Street before moving back to Italy in 1982. Perrotta is of Calabrian origin though born in England.

Perrotta grew up in the youth system of Reggina Calcio and debuted in Serie B in 1995, becoming an important fixture in their line-up. In 1998 Juventus F.C. decided to pick him up, but with great midfielders like Conte, Deschamps, and Zidane ahead of him he only collected 5 appearances for the Turin club. In 1999 he was loaned to A.S. Bari, where he was a protagonist for 2 seasons. In 2001/2002 he was shipped to A.C. Chievo Verona. There, he was a mainstay in the midfield of the surprising Chievo squad that was 1st place at the winter break. He even gave the winning assist in their famous victory over Inter that season.

In 2004 A.S. Roma signed him from the Veneto club. Despite a disappointing first season marred by the problems at the club at the time, he has been one of their best players for the past two seasons. In merit of his fine performances for the capital club, he earned a call-up to Marcello Lippi’s World Cup squad, starting all 7 games for the ultimate champions. He recently signed a contract extension with the capital club, keeping him in Rome until 2010.

Under Roma coach Luciano Spalletti’s revolutionary 4-2-3-1 formation, he plays behind the first striker in between the left and right winger as an attacking central midfielder.

Perrotta has played at the U-21 level for Italy. At senior level, he debuted in 2002. He played for Italy at the Euro 2004, scoring a goal against Bulgaria, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, winning on penalties against France.

Despite his age, Perrotta states he can improve as a player. He is famous for comparing himself to wine: the older he becomes, the better he gets.

Unlike his position at Roma, Perrotta is often used as a left winger with the Italian national team. He has always said that his dad dreams of him playing at Old Trafford because his dad used to support Manchester United during their stay in Manchester.

Honours

A.S. Roma

• Serie A:
  • Runner-up: 2006, 2007, 2008
• Coppa Italia:
  • Winner: 2007, 2008
  • Runner-up: 2005, 2006
• Supercoppa Italiana:
• Winner: 2007
• Runner-up: 2006

National Team

• FIFA World Cup:
  • Winner: 2006
• UEFA Under-21 European Championship:
  • Winner: 2000

There are concerns that Italy midfielder Simone Perrotta may be forced to miss out on Euro 2008 after injuring his calf in Roma’s Coppa Italia success over Inter last night.

The 30-year-old was named in Roberto Donadoni’s 24-man provisional squad earlier this week, and had been guaranteed a spot in the final 23.
Perrotta was in fine form during Roma’s 2-1 Coppa Italia final win at the Stadio Olimpico last night, scoring his side’s second goal of the game.
However the ex-Chievo man suffered an injury to his calf towards the end of the game, and had to be replaced by Matteo Brighi on 74 minutes.
There are now concerns that the injury may lead to Donadoni axing Perrotta from the official 23-man squad that will be sent to UEFA on Thursday.
It had seemed almost certain that the player to be snubbed would be either Alberto Aquilani or Riccardo Montolivo, but the slightest piece of doubt over Perrotta’s condition will see Donadoni leave him at home instead.
Perrotta, who has won 41 caps and was part of the 2006 World Cup winning squad, will have his injury assessed tonight by Dr Brozzi.