Italy have named eight uncapped players in their squad for Wednesday’s friendly
in Berne, Switzerland.
Coach Cesare Prandelli has not included players from Juventus and Napoli because of their involvement in Sunday’s Supercoppa match in Beijing.
AC Milan’s 19-year-old striker Stephan El Shaarawy is named in a 22-man squad also featuring four Atalanta players.
“Rather than spark another club versus country row, England manager Roy Hodgson has taken the opportunity to experiment. The established names have been given a rest and youth has been given a chance.”
Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli and former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani have been selected.
Atalanta returned to Serie A last season and striker Manolo Gabbiadini, defender Federico Peluso and goalkeeper Andrea Consigli are all named for the first time in the national squad.
The elevation of defenders Mattia De Sciglio and Francesco Acerbi to the senior side mean there will be five AC Milan players on duty.
The other newcomers to the squad are Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin and Sampdoria midfielder Andrea Poli, who spent last season on loan with Inter Milan.
Prandelli has opted to give some of his regulars a rest following Italy’s European Championship campaign, where they
lost 4-0 in the final to Spain.
Italy squad:
Andrea Consigli (Atalanta), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St Germain); Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Francesco Acerbi (AC Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Federico Balzaretti (Roma), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Daniele Gastaldello (Sampdoria), Angelo Obinze Ogbonna (Torino), Federico Peluso (Atalanta); Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Poli (Sampdoria), Ezequiel Schelotto (Atalanta), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain); Mario Balotelli (Man City), Mattia Destro (Roma), Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan), Manolo Gabbiadini (Atalanta).
