Mattia De Sciglio, Alessio Cerci and Luca Antonelli are in Cesare Prandelli’s Italy squad to face Brazil and Malta.
Mattia De Sciglio, Alessio Cerci and Luca Antonelli are in Cesare Prandelli’s Italy squad to face Brazil and Malta.
The Azzurri play Brazil in a friendly in Geneva on Thursday March 21, then travel to Malta for the World Cup qualifier on March 26.
Torino winger Cerci has represented Italy at all youth levels, but never received a senior call and last wore the Azzurri colours in 2009.
He has seemed more mature and reliable with the Granata this season after got his debut call from Prandelli.
Genoa wing-back Antonelli has been in the Italy squad before, but not since 2010.
Milan youth product De Sciglio is promoted from the Under-21 side to senior level, although he is still only 20 years old.
Marco Verratti is not included because the midfielder picked up an injury with PSG.
Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and Bologna duo Alberto Gilardino and Alessandro Diamanti are also rewarded for recent form.
Roma pair Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Daniele De Rossi are both suspended against Malta, but can face Brazil.
The Italy squad will get together at the Coverciano training ground on Monday afternoon and present the new team strip for the Confederations Cup.
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Lazio), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain);
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (Milan), Luca Antonelli (Genoa), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter);
Midfielders: Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Andrea Poli (Sampdoria);
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Milan), Stephan El Shaarawy (Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Bologna), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus), Pablo Daniel Osvaldo (Roma)