Intro:

Midfielder Daniele De Rossi expects to play in defence for Italy when they take on reigning European Champions Spain on Sunday.

Script:

Italy have major defensive worries entering their European Championship opener against Spain on Sunday.

With fullback Domenico Crisicito cut from the squad after being placed under investigation for match-fixing and centre-back Andrea Barzagli likely to be unavailable with a calf injury, head coach Cesare Prandelli may have to make some changes.

Daniele De Rossi could be the solution.

Prandelli could move the Roma midfielder to centre-back and it seems like De Rossi is a little uncertain of the role he will play.

SOUNDBITE (Italian): Italy midfielder Daniele de Rossi

"There is a 99.9 per cent chance that I will play in that position (centre-back) in the first game. It is maybe inappropriate to call that central defence, I'd rather say I'll be the link between defence and the midfielders. What will come next will be a surprise for me as well."

Italy's build up to the Euros hasn't been brilliant.

The ongoing match-fixing scandal in the country is a distraction for the players whose confidence was dented after a 3-0 friendly defeat to Russia last week.

So, facing the reigning champions in their opening game is not exactly perfect for the Italians.