Italy coach Roberto Donadoni is looking to Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero to lead the world champions' bid to come back into Euro 2008 contention.
Speaking a few hours before Friday's must-win match with Romania, Donadoni said Del Piero had a ''more marked charisma and personality than others''.
''I expect him to do what he is capable of doing,'' he said.
Del Piero is one of two definite changes from Monday's 3-0 defeat against Netherlands - the other being club mate Giorgio Chiellini who will come in at the centre of defence.
Lyon left back Fabio Grosso is also expected to play along the left flank.
Donadoni stressed that the players left out - Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale and Inter Milan centre back Marco Materazzi among them - should not think they had been rejected because of the display against the Dutch.
''My respect for them is total,'' he said.
Italian pundits think Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi and possibly also his club mate Simone Perrotta will replace the AC Milan pair Massimo Ambrosini and Gennaro Gattuso.
Italy are looking to De Rossi, AC Milan playmaker Andrea Pirlo, Juve right winger Mauro Camoranesi and above all Del Piero to supply much closer support to Bayern Munich front man Luca Toni.
Del Piero, who impressed as substitute against Holland, has not started for Italy since September. After months of doubts, he clinched a place in the squad with his first Serie A marksmen's title.
The Juve veteran is looking to end his Italy years by adding to the memorable goal that sealed victory in Germany 2006's best game, the 2-0 semi-final win over the hosts.
One more goal would see him overtake Roberto Baggio and claim sole fourth spot in the all-time Azzurri scoring charts.
Del Piero will also be seeking to make amends for a couple of chances he squandered in the Euro 2000 final against France - a match Italy led until an injury-time equaliser and lost to a golden goal.
