Mario Balotelli, Stephan El Shaarawy, Alberto Gilardino, Andrea Ranocchia, Antonio Candreva and Domenico Criscito return for World Cup qualifiers against Armenia and Denmark.
Mario Balotelli, Stephan El Shaarawy, Alberto Gilardino, Andrea Ranocchia, Antonio Candreva and Domenico Criscito return for World Cup qualifiers against Armenia and Denmark.
Coach Cesare Prandelli has named his Italy squad for the trip to Armenia on Friday October 12, then welcome Denmark to the Stadio Meazza in Milan on Tuesday October 16.
Balotelli is back after missing the first games due to eye surgery, while Criscito returns for the first time since he was dropped from Euro 2012 due to a betting investigation. The Zenit defender was cleared and never actually charged.
El Shaarawy’s impressive form for Milan has seen him get another chance at the senior Azzurri squad.
Bologna hitman Gilardino and Inter defender Ranocchia are also back for the first time in 2012, while Lazio” data-scaytid=”25″>Lazio midfielder Candreva gets his call-up after three years in the wilderness.
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus” data-scaytid=”28″>Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain), Viviano (Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”33″>Fiorentina);
Defenders: Abate (Milan), Balzaretti (Roma), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus),Criscito (Zenit St. Petersburg), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Inter);
Midfielders: Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Verratti (Paris St. Germain);
Forwards: Balotelli (Manchester City), Destro (Roma), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus), Osvaldo (Roma).