Graziano Pellé is called up and Mario Balotelli dropped for Italy’s Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta.
Antonio Conte named his squad for the two internationals, as Azerbaijan play in Palermo on October 10 and the Azzurri visit Malta on October 13.
Graziano Pellé is called up and Mario Balotelli dropped for Italy’s Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta.
Antonio Conte named his squad for the two internationals, as Azerbaijan play in Palermo on October 10 and the Azzurri visit Malta on October 13.
As expected, Southampton centre-forward Pellé received his debut senior Italy call-up after a splendid start to his Premier League career.
The same cannot be said of Balotelli, who is again ignored by ex-Juventus Coach Conte due to his poor work-rate.
Conte also gave a maiden call for Empoli defender Daniele Rugani, while Milan’s Giacomo Bonaventura, Thiago Motta of PSG and Fiorentina’s Manuel Pasqual earned recalls.
Sassuolo striker Simone Zaza, Borussia Dortmund’s Ciro Immobile and Inter striker Daniel Osvaldo are called.
Roma forward Mattia Destro and Juve’s Sebastian Giovinco are included despite barely featuring at club level.
GK: Buffon, Perin, Sirigu
D: Bonucci, Chiellini, Ogbonna, Ranocchia, Rugani
M: Aquilani, Bonaventura, Candreva, Darmian, De Sciglio, Florenzi, Marchisio, Parolo, Pasqual, Poli, Thiago Motta, Verratti
F: Destro, Giovinco, Immobile, Osvaldo, Pellé, Zaza