MILAN, March 17 (Reuters) - Torino midfielder Alessio Cerci was given his first Italy call-up on Sunday as coach Cesare Prandelli avoided any surprises in his squad for the matches against Brazil and Malta.
The 25-year-old, who has played for AS Roma, Pisa, Brescia, Atlanta and Fiorentina and represented Italy at several age levels, was the only newcomer in the squad.
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, missing from the previous squad after falling foul of Prandelli's strict ethics code by angrily confronting match officials in a club game, was recalled.
Antonio Cassano, who has not played since partnering Mario Balotelli in attack at Euro 2012, was again omitted in a decision that no longer raises eyebrows.
Prandelli said in an interview in January that he has not written off Cassano completely but wanted to give a chance to young forwards such as AC Milan's Stephan El Shaaraway.
Italy face Brazil in a friendly in Geneva on Thursday and visit Malta on March 26 in a World Cup qualifier.
Italy squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Lazio), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St Germain);
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Luca Antonelli (Genoa), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)
Midfielders: Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Andrea Poli (Sampdoria)
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Bologna), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus), Pablo Osvaldo (AS Roma)
(Writing by Brian Homewood in Berne; editing by Ed Osmond)
brian.homewood@thomsonreuters.com; +41 79 917 1402; Reuters Messaging: brian.homewood.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net) (Reporting by Brian Homewood)
