No Cassano but four new faces in Italy squad

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli yesterday left playmaker Antonio Cassano out of his squad for the friendly with Romania in Klagenfurt, Austria on Wednesday, but he did call up four uncapped players.

Cassano had been an integral part of Prandelli’s team, with two goals in three Euro 2012 qualifying matches, but he has not played for Sampdoria this month after reportedly insulting his club president.

Sampdoria have since announced their intention to cancel Cassano’s contract unilaterally, leading Prandelli to leave the talented but troublesome creator out of his squad.

Defenders Federico Balzaretti (Palermo) and Andrea Ranocchia (Genoa) and midfielders Alessandro Diamanti (Brescia) and Cristian Ledesma (Lazio) are the four players called into the Italy squad for the first time.

Prandelli is also able to call on Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, Inter full-back Davide Santon and midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who is on loan at Juventus from Liverpool, after all three overcame injury problems.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Mirante (Parma), Sir-igu (Palermo), Viviano (Bologna).

Defenders: Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Palermo), Bonucci (Juventus), Cassani (Palermo), Criscito (Genoa), Gastaldello (Sampdoria), Ranocchia (Genoa), Santon (Inter).

Midfielders: Aquilani (Liverpool), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Brescia), Ledesma (Lazio), Marchisio (Juventus), Pirlo (Milan), Mauri (Lazio).

Forwards: Balotelli (Manchester City), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Pazzini (Sampdoria), Rossi (Villarreal), Quagliarella (Juventus).