Italy national team coach Antonio Conte is expected to call up a number of new faces to the Azzurri squad for Euro 2016 qualification including Southampton striker Graziano Pelle and Empoli defender Daniele Rugani.
Conte will officially name his squad on Saturday evening for qualifiers against Azerbaijan in Palermo on October 10 and away to Malta at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium three days later.
La Gazzetta dello Sport had speculated that the 45-year-old tactician is considering introducing a number of new and returning names to the set-up earlier this week and has reiterated this prediction.
Rugani’s omission from the Under-21 squad is seen as a guarantee he will be included in the senior set-up ahead of Sampdoria defender Daniele Gastaldello.
Thiago Motta is set to be included after an excellent performance for Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona in the Champions League, whilst Samp’s Roberto Soriano is still in contention for a place in the midfield too.
In attack, Southampton’s in-form striker Pelle is expected to earn a first call-up with no space now seen open to Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli as Sebastian Giovinco or Fabio Quagliarella compete for a place.
Goalkeepers: Buffon, Perin, Sirigu.
Defenders: Abate (Soriano), Bonucci, Chiellini, De Sciglio, Ogbonna, Pasqual, Ranocchia, Rugani.
Midfielders: Aquilani, Candreva, Florenzi, Giaccherini, Marchisio, Parolo, Poli, Thiago Motta, Verratti.
Forwards: Destro, Giovinco (Quagliarella), Immobile, Osvaldo, Pelle, Zaza.
