After failing to progress from the group stage in Portugal last summer, the Italians will be looking to show they have improved and re-establish their impressive record at this level.

The Azzuri have won five of the past eight European Championships and are again one of the favourites to lift the trophy once again seeing off Spain in the Play-offs.

Led by former Lazio and Chelsea striker Pierluigi Casiraghi, Italy reached the Play-offs courtesy of two 1-0 victories over Austria and Iceland.

After a goalless draw in the first leg, Italy beat Spain 2-1 in the Play-offs, thanks to goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Riccardo Montolivo.

Led by their playmaker Riccardo Montolivo, the Azzuri usually employ a 4-1-4-1 formation, which allows the Fiorentina man the freedom to roam across the pitch.

Casiraghi deploys a midfielder to sit just in front of the back four while the supporting midfielders will try and link up with the front man.

Casiraghi must decide between Graziano Pelle, Nicola Pozzi or the fit-again Giampaolo Pazzini, who recently scored a hat-trick against England at the new Wembley Stadium.

As always with successful Italian sides, this team has an impressive defensive record, having conceded just one goal so far in the competition.

The Azzuri have kept three clean sheets in four matches, and despite only having scored four goals on the way to the Netherlands, they remain one of the favourites for the title.

Coach Pierluigi Casiraghi

The Squad
Goalkeepers
1 Gianluca Curci, 12 Emiliano Viviano, 22 Andrea Consigli
Defenders
2 Marco Andreolli, 3 Giorgio Chiellini, 5 Andrea Mantovani, 6 Alessandro Potenza, 13 Andrea Coda, 14 Domenico Criscito, 15 Michele Canini, 17 Andrea Raggi
Midfielders
4 Antonio Nocerino, 7 Riccardo Montolivo, 8 Alberto Aquilani, 10 Alessandro Rosina, 16 Daniele Dessena, 18 Simone Padoin, 21 Andrea Lazzari, 23 Luca Cigarini
Forwards
9 Gianpaolo Pazzini, 11 Giuseppe Rossi, 19 Graziano Pelle, 20 Raffaele Palladino