Veteran playmaker Andrea Pirlo, legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and red-hot Juventus teammate Alessandro Matri headline the 23-man squad chosen by Italy to face the U.S. Men's National Team on Wednesday in Genoa.
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was left off the squad by Italy manager Cesar Prandelli, who still questions the star forward's maturity.
Here is Italy's roster for the USA match:
GOALKEEPERS: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain), Emiliano Viviano (Palermo).
DEFENDERS: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Zenit St. Petersburg), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino).
MIDFIELDERS: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus).
FORWARDS: Fabio Borini (Roma), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma), Alessandro Matri (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter Milan)
What do you think of this squad? Who are you hoping Jurgen Klinsmann turns to against Italy?
Share your thoughts below.
4 keepers…nice.
Ives – Your Italian friend Guiseppe Rossi isn’t included. Porque no?
Well, with no Donovan, no deep playing distributor, and no one that actually plays left back, I don’t think it matters who Klinsmann turns to…unless of course he calls in some more players.
If your being serious, it’s because he’s been injured for quite some time.
Was LD recently ruled out? He was on the original list of players called in…
…wait, is Donovan out now too?
Hasn’t Fabian Johnson been playing LB for Hoffenheim? At least, according to some watching here. I’d rather see him get a run there than Spector.
If LD was ruled out then it would be an Ives blog story. There’s been nothing that I’ve seen saying LD is out.
i think he tore his ACL earlier this season
link to twitter.com
****.
Juve holding it down…. wow
well it seems to me it’s still speculation that LD will be out. Nothing for sure yet. I hope he gets well enough to play, even a half would be fine just to have him on the field with Dempsey…
Are there FIFA minimum requirements on roster size? I believe Klinsmann’s side dropped below 18 today.
Sad, really, that Chelsea got rid of Fabio Borini. He is doing very well at Roma. I know that Chelsea is supposedly “deep” at forward/striker, but he would be extremely useful right now considering that Torres looks pretty done, and Lukaku either needs more time to develop or simply isn’t being given enough of a chance.
KLJESTAN FFS – Not sure what the guy has to do.. all he wants is to get a shot in a meaningless friendly
When you’re unaware that a top player like Rossi has been sidelined for months, you shouldn’t be making snide comments. You only embarrass yourself by being so uninformed.
GK: Tim Howard
RB: Steve Cherundolo
RC: Clarence Goodson
LC: Carlos Bocanegra
LB: Fabian Johnson
DM: Daniel Williams
CM: Maurice Edu
RM: Michael Bradley
LM: Landon Donovan
AM: Clint Dempsey
ST: Jozy Altidore
I would not be surprised if he gets called in now actually.
Maybe Klijsten replaces Jose Torres? A bit surprised the Azzurri didn’t bring in Mario Balotelli.
Prandelli said he is concerned Balotelli is “agitated” and essentially a card and tactical risk for the Euros in light of his 4-game suspension in England.
Which puts him other side of the divide from Klinsi/Jones.
Well, it’s official now… Bronchitis.
Donovan Chandler and Torres are ruled out.
They’ve obviously heard of our offense.
Kljestan and Shea have been called in. So now you know what he needs to do to get a call up.
I just saw. Bummer…
Where in the crap is Cavani?
Fabian blows
Playing for Uruguay, the country he is from.
He’s Uruguayan
Who is whinier, the Italian team or Red Bull fans?
Kobe Bryant
I wonder if Prandelli saw Balotelli’s part in the City whooping of Rovers before making this decision? The principle remains, but since he was off club suspension, it must have been tempting.
I think it’s crazy that Klinsmann is calling up three goalkeepers in a 21 man roster for a single friendly, four goalkeepers is totally nuts.
And you are basing that on…?
We don’t take kindly to traitors or traitor sympathizers around these parts. Now git