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Italy names roster for USA friendly

AndreaPirlo (Getty)

Veteran playmaker Andrea Pirlo, legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and red-hot Juventus teammate Alessandro Matri headline the 23-man squad chosen by Italy to face the U.S. Men's National Team on Wednesday in Genoa.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was left off the squad by Italy manager Cesar Prandelli, who still questions the star forward's maturity.

Here is Italy's roster for the USA match:

GOALKEEPERS: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain), Emiliano Viviano (Palermo).

DEFENDERS: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Zenit St. Petersburg), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino).

MIDFIELDERS: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus).

FORWARDS: Fabio Borini (Roma), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma), Alessandro Matri (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter Milan)

What do you think of this squad? Who are you hoping Jurgen Klinsmann turns to against Italy?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I think it’s crazy that Klinsmann is calling up three goalkeepers in a 21 man roster for a single friendly, four goalkeepers is totally nuts.

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  2. I wonder if Prandelli saw Balotelli’s part in the City whooping of Rovers before making this decision? The principle remains, but since he was off club suspension, it must have been tempting.

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  3. Prandelli said he is concerned Balotelli is “agitated” and essentially a card and tactical risk for the Euros in light of his 4-game suspension in England.

    Which puts him other side of the divide from Klinsi/Jones.

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  4. GK: Tim Howard
    RB: Steve Cherundolo
    RC: Clarence Goodson
    LC: Carlos Bocanegra
    LB: Fabian Johnson
    DM: Daniel Williams
    CM: Maurice Edu
    RM: Michael Bradley
    LM: Landon Donovan
    AM: Clint Dempsey
    ST: Jozy Altidore

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  5. When you’re unaware that a top player like Rossi has been sidelined for months, you shouldn’t be making snide comments. You only embarrass yourself by being so uninformed.

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  6. Sad, really, that Chelsea got rid of Fabio Borini. He is doing very well at Roma. I know that Chelsea is supposedly “deep” at forward/striker, but he would be extremely useful right now considering that Torres looks pretty done, and Lukaku either needs more time to develop or simply isn’t being given enough of a chance.

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  7. well it seems to me it’s still speculation that LD will be out. Nothing for sure yet. I hope he gets well enough to play, even a half would be fine just to have him on the field with Dempsey…

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  8. …wait, is Donovan out now too?

    Hasn’t Fabian Johnson been playing LB for Hoffenheim? At least, according to some watching here. I’d rather see him get a run there than Spector.

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  9. Well, with no Donovan, no deep playing distributor, and no one that actually plays left back, I don’t think it matters who Klinsmann turns to…unless of course he calls in some more players.

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