The Zenit defender has staked his claim for a recall to the Azzurri after http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Barzagli-c5669 is ruled out of the upcoming Euro 2012 due to injury.
Domenico Criscito has claimed that Cesare Prandelli promised to call him to his Euro squad in the event of an injury, and has insisted that he should be rightfully called to replace Andrea Barzagli.
The Zenit St Petersburg defender was left out of the Azzurri chief’s final selection for Euro 2012, after he was questioned by police in the match-fixing probe.
However, the former Genoa player is adamant that he is ready, and rightful to fill in the spot left vacant by injured Barzagli.
Criscito stated that when Prandelli informed him that he has been dropped from the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926 squad, he also added that he will recall him if anyone had to leave the team for any reason.
The Zenit defender stated that Demetrio Albertini is also witness to his conversation with the Azzurri manager, where the chief also said that he would be called-up even if the injured player was a striker.
The former Juventus-man stated that he has been training after being dropped from the Nazionale, and insisted that he is ready to make a comeback into the Euros for Italy.
While talking to the Gazzetta dello Sport, the 25-year-old said:
“I’m still training. When Coach Cesare Prandelli told me that I would be omitted from the squad, he added that he would call me up if anyone had to leave the squad because of injury. He said that it didn’t matter in what role they
played in, even if they were an attacker, then I would be called up. Demetrio Albertini was there too.”
However, Italian Football Federation Vice-President, Albertini, has denied being witness to any such conversation between the Azzurri chief and the Zenit defender.
The Italy medics are also in a fix as to the treatment procedure of Barzagli, and are soon to make a decision whether to send the defender back home. It is confirmed that the Bianconeri defender will remain unavailable for the
next 20-days.
Reports from Italy suggest that Cesare Prandelli has lined-up Cagliari defender http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Davide-Astori-c10639, if a need arises to replace the veteran centre-back.
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