Cesare Prandelli will name his Italy squad to play Spain on Sunday, whilst speculation is out on who may make his March training camp too.
The CT is expected to name a strong 27-man selection to face world and double European champions Spain in Madrid next Wednesday, with doubts only seen on three positions within his proposed squad.
Cesare Prandelli will name his Italy squad to play Spain on Sunday, whilst speculation is out on who may make his March training camp too.
The CT is expected to name a strong 27-man selection to face world and double European champions Spain in Madrid next Wednesday, with doubts only seen on three positions within his proposed squad.
It is understood that third choice goalkeeper is up for grabs between Antonio Mirante and Morgan De Sanctis and that a final midfield slot to make the trip to the Vicente Calderon is between Marco Parolo and Alberto Aquilani.
Continued doubts over Mario Balotelli’s shoulder injury have his inclusion in the party at risk, with Ciro Immobile speculated as the man who may benefit from a call-up in his place.
Gabriel Paletta is seen as set to be included in defence, whilst Marco Verratti may make the midfield cut.
The Italy squad’s schedule on the Monday includes meeting at noon, presenting the team’s new shirt, departing for Madrid and a first training session in the Spanish capital open to the media.
Tuesday will see the team train on the Vicente Calderon pitch, after a second Press conference from Prandelli and a selected player, whilst Wednesday evening will see the game kick off at 9pm UK time, before the group depart the same night for an early Thursday morning arrival back in Rome.
Potential Italy squad to face Spain
Goalkeepers: Buffon, Sirigu, Mirante (or De Sanctis)
Defenders: Maggio, Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci, Abate, Criscito, Paletta, Ogbonna, Astori
Midfielders: De Rossi, Montolivo, Verratti, Marchisio, Candreva, Giaccherini, Pirlo, Thiago Motta, Parolo (or Aquilani), Poli
Attackers: Cerci, Insigne, Osvaldo, Gilardino, Balotelli (or Immobile)
Meanwhile, speculation is also around on who Prandelli will call up for his proposed training camp from March 10 to 12.
Domenico Berardi, Simone Scuffet, Matteo Darmian and Andrea Ranocchia are all seen as in contention for the selection, which is seen as grouping together players likely to feature in coming years for La Nazionale, as well as potential last-minute replacements for the World Cup squad.
Potential Italy squad for March training camp
Atalanta: Bonaventura, Cigarini, Baselli
Cagliari: Astori, Murru, Sau
Genoa: Perin, Antonelli, Bertolacci
Inter: D'Ambrosio, Ranocchia
Livorno: Bardi, Ceccherini
Parma: Parolo, Paletta, Cerri
Roma: Florenzi, Destro, Romagnoli
Sampdoria: De Silvestri, Gabbiadini
Sassuolo: Berardi, Marrone, Zaza
Torino: Darmian, Immobile
Udinese: Scuffet