Balotelli back in Italy squad

07 October 2012 19:25
Mario Balotelli is among six players recalled by Cesare Prandelli for Italy's World Cup 2014 qualifying games against Armenia and Denmark. Manchester City striker Balotelli returns to the Azzurri squad after missing games against Malta and Bulgaria with an eye injury, with Domenico Criscito, Alberto Gilardino, Andrea Ranocchia, Antonio Candreva and Stephan El Shaarawy also welcomed back into the fold. Italy first travel to Armenia for the Group B qualifier on October 12, before facing Denmark at the San Siro in Milan on October 16. Zenit St Petersburg defender Criscito is recalled after being sent home from this summer's European Championships due to a betting investigation. The 25-year-old former Juventus man was never charged. Bologna forward Gilardino and Inter Milan defender Ranocchia make the 27-man squad for the first time in 2012, while Lazio midfielder Candreva returns for the first time having been dropped from the Azzurri's pre-World Cup training camp in 2010. Prandelli has opted to take another look at AC Milan's El Shaarawy after the teenage forward hit five goals in four games for the Rossoneri. Italy squad: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain), Viviano (Fiorentina); Abate (Milan), Balzaretti (Roma), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus),Criscito (Zenit St. Petersburg), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Inter); Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Verratti (Paris St. Germain); Balotelli (Manchester City), Destro (Roma), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus), Osvaldo (Roma).

Source: team_talk