Prandelli names Confederations Cup squad

Rome, May 17 (IANS)

Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli has named his initial 31-man squad for the Confederations Cup, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced.

Italy will play against Mexico, Japan and the hosts Brazil in the Confederations Cup group games which will be held in June, reports Xinhua.

Prandelli will trim down this squad to 23 players which will be unveiled June 3.

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).