Prandelli names pre-Confed Cup squad

By Football Italia staff

Italian National Team boss Cesare Prandelli has named his initial 31-man squad for the Confederations Cup.

The Azzurri travel to Brazil in June for the pre-World Cup tournament, playing Mexico, Japan and the hosts in Group A.

But before that, they have to face San Marino in a friendly on May 31 and Czech Republic in a qualifier on June 7.

Cagliari duo Michael Agazzi and Marco Sau have been called up for the first time, as has Atalanta playmaker Giacomo Bonaventura.

Champions Juventus have eight players represented with Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Emanuele Giaccherini, Claudio Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo and Sebastian Giovinco all named.

Full squad: Goalkeepers: Agazzi (Cagliari), Buffon (Juventus), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain);

Defenders: Abate (Milan), Antonelli (Genoa), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Inter);

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Bonaventura (Atalanta), Candreva (Lazio), Cerci (Torino), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Poli (Sampdoria);

Attackers: Balotelli (Milan), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus), Osvaldo (Roma), Sau (Cagliari).

The 23-man squad for the Confederations Cup will be named on June 3.

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow