Four new faces in Italy squad
Reuters - Sunday 14 November 2010, 18:46
MILAN, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Italy coach Cesare Prandelli named
four new call-ups, including Argentina-born Cristian Ledesma, in
his squad on Sunday for Wednesday's friendly with Romania.
Lazio midfielder Ledesma, who has helped his modest side
prosper in Serie A this term having been dropped for much of
last season after an internal dispute, gained Italian
citizenship in 2008.
Palermo full-back Federico Balzaretti, Brescia midfielder
Alessandro Diamanti and Genoa centre half Andrea Ranocchia -
half-owned by Inter Milan - are the other new faces as
Prandelli uses the last friendly of the year to experiment.
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli returned after
injury and despite a domestic suspension but forward Antonio
Cassano was omitted as expected having been banished from the
Sampdoria squad for swearing at the club president.
Federico Marchetti, Italy's goalkeeper in their ill-fated
World Cup campaign, was again overlooked after being dropped by
Cagliari while Amauri and Simone Pepe were notable absentees for
the game in Klagenfurt, Austria.
Their Juventus team mate Giorgio Chiellini is among a host
of players injured but Juve midfielder Alberto Aquilani is
called up for the first time since February 2009.
Italy top Euro 2012 qualifying Group C after last month's
home game with Serbia was abandoned because of crowd violence
and a 3-0 win awarded to the Azzurri.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Antonio Mirante (Parma), Salvatore Sirigu
(Palermo), Emiliano Viviano (Bologna);
Defenders: Davide Astori (Cagliari), Federico Balzaretti
(Palermo), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Mattia Cassani
(Palermo), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Daniele Gastaldello
(Sampdoria), Andrea Ranocchia (Genoa), Davide Santon (Inter)
Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi
(AS Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Brescia), Cristian Ledesma
(Lazio), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Stefano Mauri (Lazio),
Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City), Alberto
Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio
Quagliarella (Juventus), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal).