Competition healthy not negative says Italy's Perrotta

Chievo's Simone Perrotta (pictured) said that the atmosphere in the Italian camp was "exceptional" - despite rumblings of discontent from one of his fellow midfielders.

Chievo's Simone Perrotta said that the atmosphere in the Italian camp was "exceptional" - despite rumblings of discontent from one of his fellow midfielders.

On Tuesday, AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso said he was unhappy at playing a bit-part role for the Azzurri and that he was worthy of a place in the starting line-up.

But Perrotta, ahead of Gattuso in the pecking order for the midfield anchor role for Italy's opening game against Denmark next Monday, said it was only to be expected that his team-mate, like everbody else in the 23-man squad, wanted to play.

"The competition in the camp is healthy, but everyone has respect for each other," said the 26-year-old British-born midfielder.

"There are 23 of us here and we all want to play, but everyone is needed."

Perrotta admitted there was some anxiety in the team, but said that was a good thing as their crucial opening match draws nearer.

"It's the right sort of tension and you need that before the start of a big tournament," he said.

"The mood in the dressing room is exceptional and we believe we can go all the way.

"It's the most important event of my career and it is very important for Italy as we have not won anything for many years."

Perrotta has been heavily linked with a big-money move from Chievo this summer, but said he was looking no further than Euro 2004.

"My motivation right now is to do well for Italy," he said.

Asked if he might follow former Chievo coach Luigi Del Neri to Champions League winners Porto, he replied: "I'd like to play abroad, but I'd also be very happy to stay in Italy."

Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, near Manchester in England, Perrotta moved to Italy at the age of five.

Eight years later he was spotted by talent scouts and offered a place at Reggina's youth academy.

He broke into the first team and some eye-catching performances in Serie B earned him a move to Juventus for the start of the 1998/99 season where he joined up with French internationals Zinedine Zidane and Didier Deschamps.

With the two World Cup winners ahead of him, Perrotta was limited to just five first team performances in two seasons and was loaned out to Bari.

He spent two seasons there before joining newly-promoted Chievo in 2001.

Under the careful guidance of Del Neri, Perrotta has blossomed into one of the country's best midfielders.