Latest Azzurri call-ups and analysis
Italy’s coach Cesare Prandelli has declared the new men to represent Azzurri. He informed about the players of his squad for the upcoming friendly match against Romania that is set to be played on Wednesday evening. The game in Klagenfurt will provide Prandelli
with an ideal opportunity to experiment with his fringe players.
We’ll start the analysis with the goalkeepers. Prandelli has called up Antonio Mirante, Salvatore Sirigu and Bologna’s Emiliano Viviano. The Bologna shot stopper will retain his number one jersey ahead of the other two called up players. Sirigu will be the
second choice while Mirante will be the backup. However, when Gianluigi Buffon returns, none of the three will stand a chance for a first team spot.
In defence, Prandelli has called up a host of young players. Davide Astori, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Ranocchia will all be hopeful of a starting berth for the central defender role. Although Daniele Gastaldello has been called up, he is unlikely to get
any minutes under his belt. Palermo’s Federico Balzaretti has been in divine form this season and such form has earned him a deserved call up to the national team. Balzaretti’s full back partner at the club, Mattia Cassani, has also received a call up. Davide
Santon, Finally returning from injury, has also been called up but his form has been far from impressive and that will see the Inter prodigy demoted to the bench. Domenico Criscito has already made 11 appearances in the Azzurri jersey and will start ahead
of Balzaretti in the left back position.
In the midfield department, Alberto Aquilani finally returns for the National team following months of exile. The player had a torrid time with Liverpool FC as he struggled with injuries and form. His loan spell with Bianconeri has been extremely fruitful
as Aqua man is finally returning to his world class best. Lazio’s Cristian Ledesma has also earned a call-up; Ledesma is now the third South American player to have received an Azzurri call up. Brescia’s Alessandro Diamanti will also get an opportunity to
make his first appearance in an Azzurri jersey. Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio are the other Azzurri regulars who received a call up.
In attack, troubled phenomenon Mario Balotelli returns to the national team following his injury. Antonio Cassano’s feud with club president Riccardo Garrone has cost him a National team place. Cesare Prandelli had already told Cassano to solve the issue
before he can dream of playing for Italian again. Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi has also been called up but he is unlikely to start from the off. Giampaolo Pazzini, Alberto Gilardino and Fabio Quagliarella are likely to get the nod ahead of the Yellow submarines’
forward.
The complete list of called up players is below:
Goalkeepers: Antonio Mirante, Emiliano Viviano, Salvatore Sirigu
Defenders: Davide Astori, Federico Balzaretti, Leonardo Bonucci, Mattia Cassani, Domenico Criscito, Daniele Gastaldello, Andrea Ranocchia, Davide Santon
Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Diamanti, Cristian Ledesma, Claudio Marchisio, Stefano Mauri, Andrea Pirlo
Attackers: Mario Balotelli, Alberto Gilardino, Giampaolo Pazzini, Fabio Quagliarella, Giuseppe Rossi
Tags: