Talking tactics: Mario Balotelli (left) chats with Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli (right) in training

He said: 'Of course, I really feel sorry for him. I really wish him the best for the future.

'I'm really grateful to Capello because, when I was playing for the young team of Roma, he helped me a lot to get to the national team. Fabio Capello is the coach who helped me most in my career. To say I owe it all to him isn't going far enough.'

Sunday will see England face Italy in a major finals for the first time since the 1990 World Cup.

But while the Italians have since gone on to reach two World Cup finals - winning one - as well as the final of Euro 2000 - their opponents have an awful record in knockout football.

They have won just three such matches in the past 22 years but De Rossi rejected suggestions they were a softer target than France, who they pipped to top spot in Group D.

He said: 'They are both very great teams. So I can't really say it's better to play against England or France. Maybe against Ukraine, it would've been better. England or France doesn't make any difference because they are both great teams.'

One thing England and Italy have in common is an appalling record in penalty shootouts but De Rossi was relaxed about the prospect of spot-kicks on Sunday.

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