Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has named his initial 27-man squad to face Brazil on Thursday in Geneva.
The big news is that 25-year-old Torino winger Alessio Cerci has been handed his first call up to the Azzurri as reward for his impressive form in Serie A this season.
AC Milan defender Mattia de Sciglio and Genoa’s Luca Antonelli have also been recalled to Prandelli’s squad.
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti is a notable exclusion and Roma’s Daniele de Rossi will miss the game against Malta due to suspension but will return for Brazil.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris St Germain).
Defenders: Abate, Antonelli (Genoa), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), De Sciglio (AC Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Ranocchia (Inter Milan).
Midfielders: Candreva (Lazio), Cerci (Torino), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (AC Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Poli (Sampdoria).
Forwards: Balotelli (AC Milan), El Shaarawy (AC Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus), Osvaldo (Roma).
Source: Sky Sports
