Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has already selected the five players who will take penalties against England if required, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Azzurri lock horns with the Three Lions in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals on Sunday, and it is believed that their coach has already earmarked who will take the spot-kicks if necessary.

Andrea Pirlo, Mario Balotelli, Daniele De Rossi, Thiago Motta and Antonio Di Natale will reportedly step up for Prandelli’s men, who finished second in Group C behind holders Spain, should the sides not be separated after 120 minutes.

Meanwhile, eight players in the Italian squad are on a yellow card and must be careful not to be booked, as they would then miss the potential semi-final against Germany.

Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci, Christian Maggio, Federico Balzaretti, Thiago Motta, De Rossi, Ricardo Montolivo and Balotelli are the men treading on eggshells.

After this stage all accrued yellow cards are discarded.