SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 7 hrs 43 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
IN
World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Play-offs - Semi-finals
Mar 24, 2022 at 7.45pm UK
 
NM

Italy
0 - 1
N. Macedonia

 
FT(HT: 0-0)
Trajkovski (90+2')
Spirovski (80')

Mario Balotelli omitted, Jorginho, Marco Verratti named in Italy's World Cup playoff squad

:Headline: Mario Balotelli omitted, Jorginho, Marco Verratti named in Italy's World Cup playoff squad:
Italy boss Roberto Mancini names a 33-man squad for their upcoming 2022 World Cup playoff semi-final clash against North Macedonia, but Mario Balotelli is not selected.
Sports Mole

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has named a 33-man squad for their upcoming 2022 World Cup playoff semi-final clash against North Macedonia, but Mario Balotelli has not been selected.

The 31-year-old was originally included in a 35-man squad for a training camp in January, receiving his first national team call-up for over three years.

However, Balotelli is one of 12 players who has been dropped, while nine Italians have returned to the senior squad.

Goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Pierluigi Gollini have replaced Alex Meret and Marco Carnesecchi, with Donnarumma set to be handed the number one jersey.

Defenders Leonardo Bonucci, Emerson Palmieri and Francesco Acerbi have all been recalled, while Davide Calabria, Mattia De Sciglio, Luca Pellegrini, Giorgio Scalvini and Rafael Toloi all miss out, with the latter sidelined due to injury. Luiz Felipe keeps his place and he is hoping to receive his first senior cap for the Azzurri.

Midfield trio Jorginho, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Marco Verratti all return at the expense of Nicolo Fagioli, Davide Frattesi and Samuele Ricci, while attackers Balotelli and Federico Bernadeschi drop out, with Matteo Politano called up. Joao Pedro retains his place in the squad and, like Felipe, he could make his senior debut for the national team this month.

Italy will face North Macedonia at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo on March 24 and victory for the Azzurri will seen them face either Portugal or Turkey in a playoff final for a place at this year's World Cup in Qatar.

Italy's 33-man squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Cagliari), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Pierluigi Gollini (Tottenham Hotspur), Salvatore Sirigu (Genoa)

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Lazio), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Emerson Palmieri (Lyon), Alessandro Florenzi (AC Milan), Luiz Felipe (Lazio), Gianluca Mancini (Roma)

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Jorginho (Chelsea), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Matteo Pessina (Atalanta BC), Stefano Sensi (Sampdoria), Sandro Tonali (AC Milan), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)

Attackers: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (Naploli), Joao Pedro (Cagliari), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Sassuolo), Gianluca Scamacca (Sassuolo), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio), Nicolo Zaniolo (Roma)

body check tags ::

amp_article__481157 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2022-03-19 14:07:15:
html db last update - 2022-03-18 17:20:06 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Roberto Mancini

Click here for more stories about Italy

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Balotelli receives first Italy call-up in over three years
Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Man City quoted £86m for "exceptional" Newcastle man?

1

MC

Arsenal 'suffer blow in pursuit of PSG attacker'

2

A'

Preview: Alaves vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PA

Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'

4

L'

Arsenal 'optimistic over triple injury boost for Man City clash'

5

A'

Preview: Barcelona vs. Las Palmas - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PB

Man City injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal - De Bruyne, Stones and more

7

MC

Preview: Chelsea vs. Burnley - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PC

How Chelsea could line up against Burnley

9

HC

Key Man City duo miss training ahead of Arsenal title clash

10

KM


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .