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Italian coach Cesare Prandelli announced his final 23 – man squad who will be travelling to Brazil for the FIFA World Cup.
Giuseppe Rossi being the surprise inclusion in the 30 man provisional squad. The injury-stricken Italian forward will not be travelling and neither will be Roma striker Mattia Destro. Despite overlooking the two forwards, Prandelli has five attackers in his disposition with Mario Balotelli leading the forward line.
Another notable exclusion is Riccardo Montolivo, who had already been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a broken tibia during the friendly against Republic of Ireland. Other players who miss out from the provisional squad are Christian Maggio, Romulo, Manuel Pasqual and Andrea Ranocchia. However, the Inter youngster Ranocchia has been named as the cover to replace any injured players before June 10.
Italy will play their last friendly against Luxembourg on Wednesday before flying to Brazil. Drawn in one of the most difficult groups with England, Uruguay and Costa Rica, the Azzuris will have to work hard to clear the group of death. Italy kicks-off its World Cup campaign against England on June 14.
Final Italian squad:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain)
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Gabriel Paletta (Parma)
Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)
