Rossi, Balzaretti earn Italy recalls

Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi has been recalled to Italy’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Armenia.

Rossi, 26, was the headline inclusion in Cesare Prandelli’s 29-man squad for the fixtures on October 11 and 15.

The forward, who joined Fiorentina from Villarreal in January this year, last played for Italy against Serbia in October 2011, while Roma defender Federico Balzaretti was also recalled, and could make his first appearance for his country this year.

Italy – who have already qualified for next year’s World Cup in Brazil – have selected five Juventus players, with captain Gianluigi Buffon, midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio, and defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci all included.

Four Milan players have won selection, including controversial striker Mario Balotelli, while Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain are well represented, with three players included.

Italy have won six of their eight qualifiers so far, with the other two matches ending in draws.

Prandelli is expected to field an experimental squad for the two matches, with the likes of Rossi and Balzaretti likely to be given their chance.

Goalkeepers:
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Federico Marchetti (Lazio), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain)

Defenders:
Ignacio Abate (Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Federico Balzaretti (Roma), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Lorenzo De Silvestri (Sampdoria), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter)

Midfielders:
Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Ricardo Montolivo (Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Andrea Poli (Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)

Strikers:
Mario Balotelli (Milan), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Alberto Gilardino (Genoa), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Pablo Daniel Osvaldo (Southampton), Giuseppe Rossi (Fiorentina)