Cannavaro: You can't question De Rossi as a player

Speaking after Italy's draw with Germany on Tuesday, during which De Rossi starred once again from his central role, Cannavaro noted that the 33-year-old had proved a lot of people wrong with his recent performances - re-establishing himself as a vital player for both the Giallorossi and the Azzurri since the turn of the New Year.

"Daniele has surprised me most of all," Cannavaro said. "Lots of people were writing him off a few months ago, but he's got himself back in the frame and I think Luciano Spalletti and Antonio Conte have been key to helping him to find the spark and get back the right motivation.

"You can't question him as a player."