Sometimes described as the Steven Gerrard of Serie A, the AS Roma player started the first two games at Euro 2012 in the unusual position of central defence before returning to midfield in the 2-0 win over Ireland which sealed second spot in Group C.
De Rossi is happy to be in the middle of the battle where he looks set to lock horns with England captain Gerrard, a player he rates highly just like Roy Hodgson's side.
"Gerrard is the symbol of their team, he has been playing for 10 years. Gerrard is the symbol of this 'universal' player because he can play well in defence and in attack," he told a news conference on Wednesday.
"Unfortunately, I haven't seen England much [at this tournament]. They have young, very strong wingers. It won't be easy.
"The coach has had a career which also brought him to Italy. They know how to be defensive but to attack. They are a strong side."
The once wild child of the Italy squad has calmed down markedly in recent years but asked why he had not yet "exploded" in a positive sense in Poland and Ukraine, De Rossi was candid.
"I don't know, really I don't know," he said.
"I don't know in what role or what formation I will explode."
"Italy is living through a delicate time [economically]. England have a tradition of bringing lots of followers en masse," he said, shrugging the issue off as a problem for the Azzurri.
However, he added that in terms of preparation and motivation "Capello could scare you".
