Mario Balotelli is not in Antonio Conte’s debut Italy squad to face the Netherlands and Norway.
The Azzurri are due to face Holland in a friendly fixture at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari on September 4.
Mario Balotelli is not in Antonio Conte’s debut Italy squad to face the Netherlands and Norway.
The Azzurri are due to face Holland in a friendly fixture at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari on September 4.
It will be the first game in charge for new Nazionale Coach Conte and the only chance to warm up for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Norway on September 9 in Oslo.
Daniel Osvaldo and Stephan El Shaarawy are back in after impressive pre-season performances for Inter and Milan respectively.
Sassuolo striker Simone Zaza and Juve benchwarmer Sebastian Giovinco also get a call-up.
However, there is no room for Liverpool’s new £16m signing Balotelli.
While it's true he still has a one-match international ban to see out after the World Cup, it is unusual to see him dropped for both games.
Also left out after the World Cup debacle are Alessio Cerci, Antonio Cassano and Lorenzo Insigne.
Andrea Pirlo and Riccardo Montolivo are unavailable due to injury.
It is the maiden senior Italy call-up for Zaza and Torino goalkeeper Daniele Padelli.
GK: Buffon (Juventus), Padelli (Torino), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (PSG);
D: Astori (Roma), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Paletta (Parma), Ranocchia (Inter);
M: Candreva (Lazio), Darmian (Torino), De Rossi (Roma), De Sciglio (Milan), Florenzi (Roma), Giaccherini (Sunderland), Maggio (Napoli), Marchisio (Juventus), Parolo (Lazio), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Poli (Milan), Verratti (PSG);
F: Destro (Roma), El Shaarawy (Milan), Giovinco (Juventus), Immobile (Borussia Dortmund), Osvaldo (Inter), Zaza (Sassuolo)