Ventura unveils 28-man Azzurri squad: Marchisio returns, while Politano and Cataldi both included for the first time

Italy head coach Gian Piero Ventura has called up 28 players for their World Cup qualifying fixture against Liechtenstein (12th November, Vaduz) and their friendly encounter against Germany (15 November, Milan). Matteo Politano and Danilo Cataldi have both been given their first call-up to the national side, although the latter has previously taken part in a training camp in the lead up to EURO 2016. These upcoming fixtures will also see the return of Claudio Marchisio, who has been absent from the Azzurri since the friendly against Romania on 17th November 2015.

Lorenzo Insigne and Simone Zaza have both also been selected, whilst Davide Zappacosta will make his return after previously playing under former coach Antonio Conte during  friendlies against Finland and Scotland prior to EURO 2016. Among the selected players there is also Marco Parolo, however he will be forced to miss the game against Liechtenstein due to a suspension.

The Azzurri will gather tomorrow evening at Coverciano before their first training session on Monday at 15:00 CEST at the national training facility. On Friday 11th November they will leave for Vaduz the day before the match at the Rheinpark Stadium the next day at 20:45 CEST. It will be the first meeting ever between the two countries. On Sunday 13th November, the team will head to Milan before moving to the training ground at Milanello where they will prepare for the Germany friendly on Tuesday 15th November at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at 20:45 CEST.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), Mattia Perin (Genoa);
Defenders: Luca Antonelli (Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Alessio Romagnoli (Milan), Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Davide Zappacosta (Torino);
Midfielders: Danilo Cataldi (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain) Federico Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), Antonio Candreva (Inter), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Matteo Politano (Sassuolo), Nicola Sansone (Villareal).
Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Eder Citadin Martins (Inter), Manolo Gabbiadini (Napoli), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Leonardo Pavoletti (Genoa), Simone Zaza (West Ham United).
Staff: Head Coach: Gian Piero Ventura; Team Manager: Gabriele Oriali; Assistant Coaches: Salvatore Sullo, Paolo Vanoli and Gianluca Spinelli; Secretary: Mauro Vladovich; Fitness coaches: Alessandro Innocenti and Giovanni Brignardello; Match Analyst: Antonio Gagiardi; Team Doctors: Enrico Castellacci and Carmine Costabile; Physiotherapists/Masseurs: Fabrizio Scalzi, Emanuele Randelli, Alfonso Casano and Pasquale Raia, Walter Martinelli (osteopath); Nutritionist: Matteo Pincella.

Italy’s Schedule (All times CEST)
Sunday 6th November

Arrival at Coverciano at around 24:00 CEST

Monday 7th November
13:30 Ventura’s press conference
15:00 Training (Open to the media for the first 20 minutes)

Tuesday 8th November
09:30     Training (closed doors)
13:00     Meet the press (players)
15:00     Training (Open to the press for the first 20 minutes)

Wednesday 9th November
09:30    Training  (closed doors)
13:00     Meet the press (players)
15:00     Training (Open to the press for the first 20 minutes)

Thursday 10th November
09:30     Training (closed doors)
13:00     Meet the press (players)
15:00     Training (Open to the press for the first 20 minutes)

Friday 11th November (MD-1)
09:30     Training (Open to the press for the first 15 minutes)
17:00     Charter flight from Florence to St. Gallen
18:15     Arrive at St. Gallen and travel to the Rheinpark Stadium in Vaduz
19:15     Inspect the stadium
19:30     Press conference with Ventura and one player before hotel transfer

Liechtenstein’s schedule
17:00    Manager’s press conference at the Rheinpark Stadium
17:30 Training at the Rheinpark Stadium (Open to the press for the first 15 minutes)

Saturday 12th November (MD)
20:45   LIECHTENSTEIN vs. ITALY – Rheinpark Stadium
Press conferences and hotel transfers to follow

Sunday 13th November
10:00     Flight to Milan Malpensa
10:55     Arrive at Milan Malpensa and head to Milanello training centre
15:00    Training at Milanello (open to the media*)

Monday 14th November (MD-1)
10:00     Press conference with the manager and one player at Milanello *
11:00     Training at Milandello (Open to the press for the first 15 minutes)
15:30     Training (closed doors)

Germany’s schedule
14:00     Manager’s press conference at the Hotel Meliá
17:30     Training at the G. Meazza Stadium (Open to the press for the first 15 minutes)

Tuesday 15th November (MD)
20:45 ITALY vs. GERMANY Friendly – Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Meetings with the media to follow.
*Entrance to Milanello is only permitted for media sources with accreditation for Italy vs. Germany

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