Ahead of tonight’s friendly with Northern Ireland, Marcello Lippi explains why he chose the 23-man squad for the Confederations Cup.
Only 10 members of the side prepared to take on Northern Ireland will also be going to South Africa for this month’s tournament.
“I wanted to give an extra week’s rest to those who worked and strained the most this season,” explained the Coach.
“The final choice of 23 was completed with an eye to consistency, as the calls were based on a whole year of work.
“I was particularly disappointed at having to leave out [Matteo] Brighi, [Gaetano] D’Agostino and [Giampaolo] Pazzini, as at least 26 or 27 players deserved to come to South Africa. Sadly, certain priorities have to be addressed.”
D’Agostino and Pazzini are expected to be in the starting XI this evening at the Arena Garibaldi along with debutants Davide Santon and Giuseppe Mascara.
Gennaro Gattuso will also start for the first time since suffering a devastating knee injury that ruled him out for five months.
“Gattuso is fine. He’s not 100 per cent fit, but that’s enough for a thousand different reasons.”
The Milan midfielder is also in the final squad for the Confederations Cup in South Africa from June 14 to 28.
“It is an important tournament with prestigious sides like Brazil and Spain. We will try to win it, even though failure to do so won’t see us tearing our hair out,” smiled Lippi.
“After all, the winners of the Confederations Cup have never gone on to win the next World Cup.”
You can watch Italy-Northern Ireland on BBC3, kick-off 19.50 UK time.
Italy (probable): De Sanctis; Santon, Legrottaglie, Gamberini, Grosso; Gattuso, D’Agostino, Montolivo; Mascara, Pazzini, Rossi
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