Rome, June 4 (IANS): Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli named his 23-man team for the Confederations Cup tournament where Angelo Ogbonna and Andrea Ranocchia are the noticeable absentees.
In addition to the two young defenders Ogbonna and Ranocchia, goalkeeper Michael Agazzi, midfielders Giacomo Bonaventura and Andrea Poli and forward Marco Sau were also dropped Monday.
Luca Antonelli pulled out earlier Monday after having suffered an ankle injury during Friday’s friendly against San Marino, whilst Pablo Daniel Osvaldo was removed from the original 31-man roster in a disciplinary move.
Italy squad:
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain)
Defenders: Abate (Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli)
Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), Cerci (Torino), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus)
Forwards: Balotelli (Milan), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus).