Italy call goes out to Mauri
Sunday, October 3, 2010
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S.S. Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri has earned a first Italy call-up in three years after Cesare Prandelli announced his squad for the Group C qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Serbia.
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Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has rewarded Stefano Mauri for some fine performances with Serie A high-fliers S.S. Lazio by handing him a first international call-up in three years for the upcoming UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Serbia.
The 30-year-old midfielder scored the winner as his side beat Brescia Calcio on Sunday afternoon and was promptly granted the chance to add to his six Azzurri caps, the last of which came in October 2007. Also back in the squad are defenders Gianluca Zambrotta and Domenico Criscito, as well as AS Roma striker Marco Borriello.
Currently on top of Group C with six points from two games, Prandelli's charges will start their preparations for the next two qualifiers on Monday before leaving for Belfast on Thursday. They will face Northern Ireland a day later and host Serbia the following Tuesday in Genoa.
Italy squad
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Viviano (Bologna FC), Salvatore Sirigu (US Città di Palermo), Antonio Mirante (Parma FC).
Defenders: Mattia Cassani (US Città di Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa CFC), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Daniele Gastaldello (UC Sampdoria), Cesare Bovo (US Città di Palermo), Luca Antonelli (Parma FC).
Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Angelo Palombo (UC Sampdoria), Andrea Lazzari (Cagliari Calcio), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Stefano Mauri (S.S. Lazio), Simone Pepe (Juventus).
Forwards: Marco Borriello (AS Roma), Antonio Cassano (UC Sampdoria), Alberto Gilardino (ACF Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (UC Sampdoria), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal CF).
