U21: Perin and Murru called

Cagliari defender Nicola Murru received his first Italy Under-21 call-up and Genoa’s Mattia Perin returned.

Cagliari defender Nicola Murru received his first Italy Under-21 call-up and Genoa’s Mattia Perin returned.

Coach Gigi Di Biagio named his squad for a get-together, which will conclude with a friendly against the B Italia side on Tuesday December 17 in Avellino.

It is the first call-up at this level for Murru, who has been a regular in Serie A for Cagliari this season.

Genoa goalkeeper Perin has been performing heroics for his side this term and earned a recall, though he remains behind Livorno’s Francesco Bardi and Spezia’s Nicola Leali in the pecking order.

Also included is 21-year-old Brentford striker Marcello Trotta.

Italy Under-21 squad: Bardi (Livorno), Leali (Spezia), Perin (Genoa); Antei (Sassuolo), Bianchetti (Verona), Ceccherini (Livorno), Chiosa (Bari), De Col (Virtus Lanciano), Murru (Cagliari), Rugani (Empoli), Sabelli (Bari), Zampano (Juve Stabia); Baselli (Atalanta), Benassi (Livorno), Busellato (Cittadella), Crisetig (Crotone), Dezi (Crotone), Fossati (Bari), Molina (Modena), Verre (Palermo); Belotti (Palermo), Beltrame (Bari), Bernardeschi (Crotone), Fedato (Bari), Politano (Pescara), Trotta (Brentford)