Andrea Pirlo... making the trip to Malta next week.Andrea Pirlo... making the trip to Malta next week.

Playmaker Andrea Pirlo was recalled by Italy at the age of 35 yesterday, less than four months after playing what was widely thought to be his final game for his country.

The 2006 World Cup winner, who missed the opening month of the Serie A season with a hip injury, was called up by coach Antonio Conte after forward Giacomo Bonaventura pulled out with a thigh injury, the Italian federation (FIGC) said.

Pirlo said last year that he would quit international football following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Italy’s campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in their final group stage match.

Amid all the bitter recriminations which followed the match, including the resignation of both coach Cesare Prandelli and FIGC president Giancarlo Abete, it was almost completely forgotten that the game was Pirlo’s last for Italy.

Following Italy’s return home, however, he hinted that he would accept any future call-up which became more likely when Conte, his mentor for three successful seasons at Juve, was appointed coach in July.

Italy are at home to Azerbaijan on Friday and visit Malta the following Monday, both Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Mario Balotelli is not in the squad, although Conte said that the maverick has not been excluded.

Conte said that Balotelli, heavily criticised for his performance at the World Cup and left out of Conte’s first two matches in charge last month, needed more time to adapt after his move from Milan to Liverpool.

“I make selections, not exclusions,” Conte told reporters at Italy’s training camp outside Florence.

“Balotelli has started on a new path and it’s not easy, he will be given time to integrate himself into a new championship.

“I certainly follow him just as I follow all the players who are abroad.”

Conte also lavished praise on Southampton striker Graziano Pelle who has been given his first call-up at the age of 29.

“Pelle has deserved his chance from every point of view,” said Conte.

“He has scored 50 goals in the last two seasons (with Feyenoord) and he is also showing this season that he is a leading figure in a league that is more difficult than the Dutch one.

“He is an example that here we will do things on merit; we have our eyes open and a player who does well in the league will get a chance.”

Meanwhile, Conte has told his players he will not allow any conflicts that may arise from Serie A rivalries to affect the national team.

Juve, whom Conte led to three straight league titles before leaving the Turin outfit this summer to accept the Italy post, edged Roma 3-2 on Sunday in a top-of-the table showdown.

The game in Turin was tense, with three penalties awarded, two players sent off and Roma coach Rudi Garcia given his marching orders.

Seven Juve players are now included in Italy’s squad while Roma’s Mattia Destro and Alessandro Florenzi are also in Conte’s latest selection.

“I have told my players what I have said in the past,” Conte said.

“Issues regarding the league must be left outside the changing room. We all have to work towards one mission, that of the national team.”

Italy put behind them their first round elimination from the World Cup when they began their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win at Norway last month.

The Azzurri take on Azerbaijan in Palermo next Friday before travelling further south to face Malta at Ta’ Qali on October 13.

Group H Fixtures

Friday, October 10
Bulgaria vs Croatia - 20.45
Italy vs Azerbaijan - 20.45
Malta vs Norway - 20.45

Monday, October 13
Croatia vs Azerbaijan - 20.45
Malta vs Italy - 20.45
Norway vs Bulgaria - 20.45

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