Marchionni returns to Italy squad

Winger Marco Marchionni returned from a three-year absence when he was named in the Italy squad for World Cup qualifiers in Georgia and at home to Bulgaria. The Fiorentina player, who switched from Juventus during the close season, picked up his last...

Winger Marco Marchionni returned from a three-year absence when he was named in the Italy squad for World Cup qualifiers in Georgia and at home to Bulgaria.

The Fiorentina player, who switched from Juventus during the close season, picked up his last of three caps in a 1-1 draw with Lithuania in Euro 2008 qualifying in 2006.

Otherwise coach Marcello Lippi, whose side top Group Eight, has resisted making major changes for the match in Tbilisi next Saturday and the home meeting with Bulgaria in Turin on September 9.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari).

Defenders: Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Genoa), Grosso (Lyon), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan).

Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), D'Agostino (Udinese), De Rossi (Roma), Marchionni (Fiorentina), Marchisio (Juventus), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan).

Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal).

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