Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi hailed Italy coach Marcello Lippi's tactics after their 2-0 win over Bulgaria last night. "I think we can play well together and always have done, even when critics thought it was impossible," said the Roma man after he was paired with AC Milan's Andrea Pirlo in the Azzurri midfield.

"Of course we need to work on it and gel, but the fear is that the next game that isn't so impressive, the papers will bring out the old controversy again."

Pirlo played at the head of a diamond midfield, effectively returning to the trequartista role he had in the Under-21 side.

"It doesn't change all that much, as we split the tasks. I know what I have to do and am pleased to work hard for a champion like him, tending to help the defenders a little more so he can focus on the passes for attack."