Daniele De Rossi to start in Italy's defence

Daniele De Rossi will reportedly start in defence during Italy's Euro 2012 opener against Spain next week.

Despite being renowned as a holding midfielder, Roma's De Rossi may be asked to feature in a defensive role because of a number of injuries to the Italian squad.

Coach Cesare Prandelli will definitely be without his main defender Andrea Barzagli for the match against the holders due to a muscular problem.

As a result, during a recent training session De Rossi was asked to play alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Angelo Ogbonna in a three-man defensive unit, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

De Rossi has been to three major tournaments with the Azzurri.