The Republic of Ireland may be out of Euro 2012 already (sigh), but Sport-locker.net snapped up the chance to speak to one of the star players from their next opponents Italy – Daniele De Rossi!

Your last game is against Ireland, can you tell us how you feel ahead of this crucial game?

The last game is one we must win. Ireland has a fairly Italian mentality since Trapattoni is the manager; we are going to have to be very careful against them because there we cannot afford to make any mistakes.

Trapattoni knows everything about Italian football and knows the players – he’ll be at a real advantage compared to the managers of other national teams who do not know us so well. We know we need a result but Ireland will be keen to make the most of their final game so we need to be at our best.

Which are the teams to be feared at the tournament and which players do you think will play a starring role at the Euros?

Well I think that the teams to be feared the most at the European Championships are the usual teams: Spain, England, Italy, France, Germany,  I guess that a dark horse could emerge.

As for the players, again I think that it will be the usual players rather than someone coming through for the first time. Players such as Xavi and Iniesta from Spain, Rooney from England, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robben, those kinds of players.

Italy has few emerging young talents, such as Balotelli, who is always being talked about, and Borini, your team mate at Roma. How do you help these players with your experience and what do you say to them?

I think that these young players, like Balotelli and Borini, are improving, they are doing well and they have a good chance of making a mark on the tournament.

Of course it will be the job of the older and more experienced players to help them during the tournament, but these two youngsters have the character to do well on their own.

What do you think the score will be between Italy and the Republic of Ireland tonight? Let us know in the comments section below or on our Twitter and Facebook pages.