Italy announce 30-man provisional squad for the FIFA World Cup 2014; Rossi, Cassano and Veratti called up

Italy's provisional World Cup squad announced

Italy’s provisional World Cup squad announced

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli announced the provisional 30 man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Italy are one of the teams fancied to go the distance, as under Prandelli they have been undergoing a transformation from a defensive team to one that plays possession based intelligent attacking football.

With this World Cup probably being the last for both midfield mainstay Andrea Pirlo and ever present custodian Gianluigi Buffon, Prandelli has named a strong squad with a lot of competition for places to get into the final 23 man squad for the World Cup.

Among notable inclusions, Fiorentina forward Guiseppe Rossi makes a comeback following his return from a long term knee injury while future star Marco Veratti has been selected as one of the midfielders. Matteo Darmian of Torino is the surprise defensive inclusion, as he makes it to the Italy squad for the first time.

Antonio Cassano has also been recalled to the squad after a gap of almost 2 years, rewarding his brilliant form for Parma in the Serie A.

The only notable omission is that of Pablo Osvaldo, but the on-loan Southampton forward has been terribly out of form this season.

Italy have been drawn in Group D along with Uruguay, England and Costa Rica, and play their opening match against England on the 15th of June.Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St Germain), Mattia Perin (Genoa)

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorigo Chiellini (Juventus), Gabriel Paletta (Parma), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan), Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina)

Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris St Germain), Marco Verratti (Paris St Germain), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Marco Parolo (Parma), Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Romulo (Verona)

Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Giuseppe Rossi (Fiorentina), Mattia Destro (AS Roma), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)

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Edited by Staff Editor