Soccer-Italy boss Lippi recalls Pazzini for friendlies

Sun Nov 8, 2009 7:14pm GMT
 
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* Pazzini recalled for Netherlands and Sweden friendlies

* Uncapped Cassani, Biondini and Candreva in 25-man squad

ROME, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Italy coach Marcello Lippi rewarded in-form forward Giampaolo Pazzini by recalling him in a 25-man squad for this month's friendlies with Netherlands and Sweden.

Pazzini, who has scored seven goals for Sampdoria in Serie A so far this season, got the last of his three caps in June's 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in a friendly.

But Lippi continued to ignore calls to bring back Pazzini's team mate Antonio Cassano, a reformed rebel who was regularly producing match-winning performances before a recent lull.

Pazzini was among a number of players with just a handful of caps, or only one, to be brought back into the fold.

The others were Fiorentina midfielder Marco Marchionni, Napoli defender Christian Maggio, Genoa defender Domenico Criscito and forward Raffaele Palladino plus Parma midfielder Daniele Galloppa.

Lippi also called up three uncapped players -- Palermo defender Mattia Cassani and midfielders Davide Biondini and Antonio Candreva of Cagliari and Livorno respectively.

Juventus duo Vincenzo Iaquinta and Claudio Marchisio are injured along with Fiorentina centre back Alessandro Gamberini and AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso.  Continued...

 

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