Gennaro Gattuso has established a reputation as one of the world's finest box-to-box midfielders since joining AC Milan in 1999 and his displays will be key to the Azzurri's hopes of success in Germany. The combative 28-year-old will act as Italy's midfield enforcer, with his brief to win the ball and provide a platform for Andrea Pirlo to dictate their attacking play. The Gattuso-Pirlo midfield partnership has proved particularly effective for the Rossoneri, with the pair's form instrumental in the 2003 Champions League success and 2004 Serie A title triumph. Prior to signing for Milan, Gattuso played for Perugia and Salernitana, as well as spending the 1997-98 season in Scotland with Rangers, where he developed his trademark tough-tackling style.