Azzurri: Lippi recalls Blasi

Marcello Lippi has recalled Daniele Bonera and Manuele Blasi for next week’s World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Moldova.

Parma defender Bonera makes his comeback after injury problems, while Blasi could be used as a full-back in the same position he has been adopting at Juventus over the last month.


As expected, Roma duo Antonio Cassano and Christian Panucci will not play a part in these international tests, but Vincenzo Iaquinta is called after the end of his contract dispute with Udinese.


Compared to the recent call-ups, Palermo’s injured defender Andrea Barzagli and Reggina man Giandomenico Mesto are dropped.


Italy will welcome Slovenia to Palermo’s Stadio Barbera on Saturday evening, while Moldova visit Lecce’s Stadio Via del Mare on Wednesday October 12.



Italy squad:


Gk: De Sanctis (Udinese), Peruzzi (Lazio)


D: Bonera (Parma), F Cannavaro (Juventus), Grosso (Palermo), Materazzi (Inter), Nesta (Milan), Zaccardo (Palermo), Zambrotta (Juventus)


M: Barone (Palermo), Blasi (Juventus), Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Diana (Sampdoria), Gattuso (Milan), Pirlo (Milan)


F: Del Piero (Juventus), Gilardino (Milan), Iaquinta (Udinese), Toni (Fiorentina), Totti (Roma), Vieri (Milan)