Lippi recalls Roma's Perrotta for Germany friendly

Italy coach Marcello Lippi recalled Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta to his squad yesterday for the friendly against Germany in Florence on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old Perrotta last appeared for the national side in October 2004 but has been one of Roma's most influential players in their record run of 11 consecutive Serie A wins.

Roma team-mate Francesco Totti, who fractured his ankle against Empoli, is one of two regulars missing from Italy's 23-man squad, the other being injured Juventus left-back Gianluca Zambrotta.

Italy Squad:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Amelia (Livorno), De Sanctis (Udinese).

Defenders: Barzagli (Palermo), Cannavaro (Juventus), Grosso (Palermo), Materazzi (Inter), Nesta (Milan), Oddo (Lazio), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Zaccardo (Palermo).

Midfielders: Barone (Palermo), Camoranesi (Juve), De Rossi, Perrotta (both Roma), Diana (Sampdoria), Gattuso, Pirlo (both Milan).

Strikers: Del Piero (Juve), Gilardino (Milan), Iaquinta (Udinese), Toni (Fiorentina), Vieri (Monaco).

Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann stood by his decision to rule Christian Woerns out of his World Cup plans after the defender openly criticised him. Klinsmann said the ejection of Woerns from the squad became unavoidable after the 33-year-old's outspoken comments. "We had no interest in making headlines," Klinsmann said. "We told Christian in October he should refrain from making public comments on the team when he's not nominated. We thought he'd abide. He didn't."