5 Azzurri players who deserve a call-up for the World Cup play-off

Azzurri fans would have been frustrated after their national team endured a woeful 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Since Giampiero Ventura was appointed the Italian national team manager in July last year, the 68-year-old has failed to emulate the methods of predecessor Antonio Conte.

Italian fans are still confused how Ventura was chosen over household names such as Carlo Ancelotti and Massimiliano Allegri or up-comers like Eusebio Di Francesco (now at AS Roma)

The Azzurri were deemed as the weakest Italian team since the 1960s at the Euros last year, but the four-time World Cup champions now have better talent than was available under Conte.

Ventura's bizarre player selections and tactical formations have placed Italy in the unusual position of needing to win a two-legged playoff to qualify for a major competition.

His tactics have failed to get the best out of his players producing disappointing results like the 3-0 loss to Spain and the 1-1 draw with Macedonia.

#5 Alessandro Florenzi

The Romanista, Florenzi could be a very good option at wing-back for coach Ventura

After spending a large part of the 2016/17 Serie A season on the sidelines with a knee injury, the AS Roma midfielder is now back to full fitness and has made a significant impact for his club.

His rapid pace and first-rate crossing are assets that the Azzurri currently lack on the flanks.

The right and left wing positions are often occupied by Antonio Candreva and Lorenzo Insigne but Florenzi can bring competition for these positions or make an impact off the bench.

Florenzi has made 24 appearances for the national team, so it would make sense if Ventura selects him so he can offer another attacking option on the flanks.

#4 Simone Zaza

Since his calamitous penalty against Germany at Euro 2016, Zaza has been out of the national set-up

Zaza's appalling penalty in the penalty shootout against Germany at last year's Euros seemed to have signalled the death knell for his national team career. but given his sublime form at Valencia, it's time for the Azzurri to bring the 26-year-old back to the fold.

He has scored 8 goals for Valencia in La Liga so far, guiding the club to the second spot on the table.

With his hold up play, aerial abilities and intelligence to play as a lone striker, Zaza would suit Italy down to the ground.

With Andrea Belotti still recovering from the knee injury he picked up playing for Torino, Zaza is the ideal replacement to provide attacking presence alongside an in-form Ciro Immobile.

He deserves a chance to play against Sweden over strikers such as Eder - a player who is not a regular starter for Inter Milan.

#3 Sebastian Giovinco

The Atomic Ant has not been called up in almost two years and would provide creativity

Still waiting for his first national team call-up under Giampiero Ventura, Formica Atomica (Atomic Ant) has continued to blitz the opposition in the MLS (principal football league in the USA).

Scoring 55 goals in 86 appearances for Toronto FC hasn't satisfied Ventura because the MLS and elite European football leagues are seen as being worlds apart in terms of playing tasking football.

Antonio Conte didn't even select the Toronto star for last year's Euros, as the current Chelsea manager explained how Giovinco wasn't testing his ability in Major League Soccer.

Nevertheless, the Azzurri could do with Giovinco's versatile dribbling, acceleration, and shooting skills.

The 30-year-old still has aspirations of representing the Italian national team and it is important that Ventura brings him on board for the playoffs.

#2 Jorginho

The Mercurial One, Jorginho is still eligible to play for Brazil and would be a huge loss for Italy

This is probably the most painful one for Azzurri fans.

While Jorginho was born in Brazil, the 25-year-old has Italian grandparents, thus qualifying him as an oriundo (an immigrant with Italian ancestry)

The Napoli man is a deep-lying playmaker who controls the tempo of the game and is central to the playing ethos that has seen Napoli become a formidable force in Serie A.

He has a passing accuracy unmatched by any other deep-lying midfielder on the Italian peninsula and would make a perfect midfielder for an Italian side that relies too heavily on Marco Veratti.

Jorginho is one of Europe's most complete midfielders but Azzurri coach Ventura has been reluctant to pick him as he feels Jorginho is not a good fit for his preferred 4-2-4 formation.

Jorginho has only made two friendly appearances for the Azzurri - both under Conte.

His agent has dropped hints that the Napoli playmaker could opt for a switch to Brazil which would be a disaster for Italy.

#1 Mario Balotelli

A recall for Super Mario would be a boon for fans and the squad alike

The controversial one, Balo deserves another chance with the Azzurri as his new found seriousness and dedication could prove useful in breaking down a resilient Swedish side.

The former Inter Milan forward is the last player who has scored in a World Cup tournament for the Italians but a drop in form coupled with his childish antics meant he was omitted from the Euro 2016 squad.

Ever since he joined Ligue 1 side OGC Nice in 2016, the versatile striker has improved his public image and performances on the pitch.

In 40 appearances for the French Riveria club, Balotelli has scored 26 goals and is overdue a recall to the international scene.

Goal scoring has been a struggle for Ventura's men and selecting Balotelli for the play-off matches would bring a sense of excitement for the fans and apprehension for opposition defenders.