Position: Midfielder
Born: 19.05.79
Club: AC Milan

"When I see what Andrea can do with the ball I have to ask myself whether I am a footballer."

That was Rino Gattuso's opinion of his AC Milan and Italy team-mate Andrea Pirlo and over the last four years, his immaculate passing and deadly free-kicks have made him virtually indispensable for club and country.

What is more the Milan star does it in a position rarely seen in the modern era: the defensive playmaker.

Indeed Sven-Goran Eriksson had hoped David Beckham could play a similar role for England but the Real Madrid midfielder's spell in the 'quarter-back' role was mercifully short.

Former Brescia player Pirlo is far more careful in possession than Beckham and crucially holds his position perfectly, at the base of a midfield diamond.

This ensures the shape of the side is always consistent and from this deeper position he is able to control the pace of play with his broad range of passing.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira neatly encapsulated Pirlo's importance when he revealed his thoughts on the Azzurri to Gazzetta dello Sport.

He said: "Pirlo is the determining factor in the team's attitude, he will be the one to decide whether to wait or attack."

This season the Brescian broke AC Milan's record for free-kicks scored in a season on his own - before the winter break.

He also scored from dead-ball situations twice in Italy's World Cup qualifying win over Scotland, a game he won almost single-handedly.

The midfielder admits to studying his fellow dead-ball specialists closely but believes it was Roberto Baggio who taught him how to affect such bend and dip on the ball while he was a youngster at Brescia.

Since joining the Rossoneri, where he has won the Serie A and Champions League, Pirlo has become stronger and more willing in the challenge.

But it is his graceful passing that sets him apart and with Kaka he forms part of one of the most stylish midfields in Europe.

Generally for Italy the more forward playmaker is the enigmatic Francesco Totti with whom Pirlo has yet to form such a resounding partnership.

If Italy are to do well in Germany, then Pirlo will have to do more than simply replicate Baggio's free-kicks.

He must also inspire those around him into a team with spirit as well as class - like the great man did in 1994.

• 9 Luca Toni
• 10 Francesco Totti
• Christian Vieri
• 19 Gianluca Zambrotta