Italy: Mascara yes, Cassano no
Thursday 28 May, 2009
There are eight debutants for the Northern Ireland friendly, including Giuseppe Mascara, but Antonio Cassano is snubbed in the Confederations Cup.
Marcello Lippi had said he would “perform a few miracles” in his list for the June 6 test, giving recognition to those who have impressed this season.
He was true to his word, giving Italy call-ups to Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, Lecce defender Andrea Esposito, Palermo’s Mattia Cassani and Inter 18-year-old Davide Santon.
Other new faces are Catania stars Marco Biagianti and Mascara, Daniele Galloppa of Siena and Chievo hitman Sergio Pellissier.
Lippi also named 13 of the players he will take to South Africa for the Confederations Cup and the remaining 10 will be added from those in the Northern Ireland game.
Once again Sampdoria hero Cassano has been snubbed and does not appear in either of the lists, effectively ending his hopes of ever returning to the Azzurri while Lippi is in charge.
Italy squad to face Northern Ireland on June 6:
Goalkeepers: De Sanctis (Galatasaray), Marchetti (Cagliari);
Defenders: Cassani (Palermo), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Olympique Lyonnais), Esposito (Lecce), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter);
Midfielders: Biagianti (Catania), Brighi (Roma), D’Agostino (Udinese), Galloppa (Siena), Gattuso (Milan), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria);
Forwards: Foggia (Lazio), Mascara (Catania), Pazzini (Sampdoria), Pellissier (Chievo), Rossi (Villarreal).
Players confirmed for the Confederations Cup:
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Amelia (Palermo);
Defenders: Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Chiellini (Juventus), Zambrotta (Milan);
Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan);
Forwards: Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Udinese), Toni (Bayern Munich).