Gattuso promises to battle
Gennaro Gattuso will not worry about picking up a yellow card against Germany.
Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has promised to play his natural game in the World Cup semi-final against Germany on Tuesday.The Milan star would miss the final in Berlin on July 9 if he is booked in the match against the host nation.
However, Gattuso insists he will go into the game not thinking about the possibility of being booked as he bids to help the Azzurri reach their first World Cup final since USA 94.
"I would be happy for Italy to play in the final without me," he said.
"I won't think about the yellow card because if I do, I won't play as I normally do."
Gattuso knows the importance of a place in the World Cup final after relative failures in their last two major tournaments.
Italy failed to make the quarter finals in both the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 but the 28-year-old is confident Marcello Lippi's men have the ability to lift the World Cup on Sunday evening.
"Unlike in Korea and Portugal, we have the coach and are more compact," he added.
"This allows us to achieve results even if we are not at 100%.
"I know our fellow countrymen want something big and we must win especially for ourselves and the people in Italy.
"This national team reflects our coach, he is a leader, a strong personality. What I like about him is the willingness to prepare for matches.
"I hope he stays with us when we are world champions."
