Italy Squad: Antonio Candreva, Davide Biondini & Giampaolo Pazzini In, Antonio Cassano Out

The forthcoming friendlies against Holland and Sweden are set to close the Azzurri’s international duties for the year. After having shortly released his full 25 man squad to the FIGC’s official website, Marcello Lippi has handed debut call ups to Cagliari’s Davide Biondini and Livorno’s Antonio Candreva.

Sampdoria’s in-form hitman Giampiero Pazzini has earned himself another chance to honour the Azzurri colours, but his fellow partner in crime Antonio Cassano was once again overlooked by the World Cup winning tactician.

La Nazionale will take on Wesley Sneijder’s Holland in Pescara next Saturday evening at 20:50 CET. The second friendly test will fall four days later in Cesena, against Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden.

Here is the full list of participants:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari)

Defenders: Bocchetti (Genoa), Cannavaro (Juventus), Cassani (Palermo), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Genoa), Grosso (Juventus), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Maggio (Napoli), Zambrotta (Milan)

Midfielders: Biondini (Cagliari), Camoranesi (Juventus), Candreva (Livorno), De Rossi (Roma), Galloppa (Parma), Marchionni (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pirlo (Milan)

Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Palladino (Genoa), Pazzini (Sampdoria), Rossi (Villarreal)