Napoli fullback Christian Maggio knows he has a battle to keep his Italy place following the call-up of AC Milan's Ignazio Abate.

Maggio has been used with some regularity by boss Cesare Prandelli over the last year, while Abate was named in the Azzurri squad for the first time last weekend.

"Abate is a great player," the former Sampdoria man stated from Coverciano on Wednesday afternoon.

"We've all seen what great things he has done in the Milan team," the attacking full-back continued.

"As a result, there is a healthy and positive rivalry between the two of us for a place in the international side."