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Agence France Presse
Oct 7 2012
Prandelli recalls Balotelli for Armenia, Denmark
(AFP)
MILAN, Italy - Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has named Manchester City
striker Mario Balotelli in a reinvigorated 27-man squad unveiled on
Sunday for upcoming Word Cup qualifiers against Armenia and Denmark.
Beaten Euro 2012 finalists Italy were lucky to escape with a draw from
their opening fixture in Bulgaria in early September before defeating
Malta 2-0 in an unconvincing display in Modena four days later.
Italy may sit top of Group B, thanks to superior goal difference
compared to Bulgaria, but Prandelli will be looking for better
displays when they host Armenia on October 12 and travel to Denmark
four days later.
As well as Balotelli, who was sidelined from the earlier World Cup
qualifiers because of an eye problem, the Azzurri coach has called up
several players who have been absent from the national team in recent
years.
Zenit Saint Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito returns only months
after pulling out of the Euro 2012 squad after his name cropped up in
a match-fixing scandal, in which he was later cleared.
Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia and Bologna stiker Alberto
Gilardino also make their returns.
Ranocchia has not been in the squad since November 2011, while
Gilardino last made an appearance in September of the same year.
Lazio midfielder Antonio Candreva has been given the chance to make
what would be only his third Italy appearance, while midfielder Marco
Verratti's performances for Paris Saint-Germain have earned him a
chance for a second cap.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli),
Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Emiliano Viviano
(Fiorentina)
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Roma),
Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio
Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Zenit Saint Peterburg/RUS),
Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino), Andrea Ranocchia
(Inter)
Midfielders: Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma),
Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus),
Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Andrea
Pirlo (Juventus), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City), Mattia Destro (Roma),
Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Bologna), Sebastian
Giovinco (Juventus), Pablo Osvaldo (Roma)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Oct 7 2012
Prandelli recalls Balotelli for Armenia, Denmark
(AFP)
MILAN, Italy - Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has named Manchester City
striker Mario Balotelli in a reinvigorated 27-man squad unveiled on
Sunday for upcoming Word Cup qualifiers against Armenia and Denmark.
Beaten Euro 2012 finalists Italy were lucky to escape with a draw from
their opening fixture in Bulgaria in early September before defeating
Malta 2-0 in an unconvincing display in Modena four days later.
Italy may sit top of Group B, thanks to superior goal difference
compared to Bulgaria, but Prandelli will be looking for better
displays when they host Armenia on October 12 and travel to Denmark
four days later.
As well as Balotelli, who was sidelined from the earlier World Cup
qualifiers because of an eye problem, the Azzurri coach has called up
several players who have been absent from the national team in recent
years.
Zenit Saint Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito returns only months
after pulling out of the Euro 2012 squad after his name cropped up in
a match-fixing scandal, in which he was later cleared.
Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia and Bologna stiker Alberto
Gilardino also make their returns.
Ranocchia has not been in the squad since November 2011, while
Gilardino last made an appearance in September of the same year.
Lazio midfielder Antonio Candreva has been given the chance to make
what would be only his third Italy appearance, while midfielder Marco
Verratti's performances for Paris Saint-Germain have earned him a
chance for a second cap.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli),
Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Emiliano Viviano
(Fiorentina)
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Roma),
Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio
Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Zenit Saint Peterburg/RUS),
Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino), Andrea Ranocchia
(Inter)
Midfielders: Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma),
Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus),
Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Andrea
Pirlo (Juventus), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City), Mattia Destro (Roma),
Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Bologna), Sebastian
Giovinco (Juventus), Pablo Osvaldo (Roma)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress