Casiraghi names Azzurrini squad

Italy Under-21 boss Pierluigi Casiraghi has named his squad for the European Championship play-off matches against Spain.

The Azzurrini Coach named 22 players who will meet on Sunday in Modena, where the first leg is scheduled on Friday 6 October.

Among those selected was Roma midfielder Aleandro Rosi, who is line to make his debutafter scoring his first Serie A goal last Sunday in Roma's 4-0 win against Parma. Juventus striker Raffaele Palladino returns to the squad after a long absence with an ankle injury, but Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini is out with a thigh injury.

The Azzurrini secured a spot in the European Under-21 Championship play-offs after winning against Iceland and Austria earlier this month, topping Group 5.

The second leg against Spain will be played on October 10 at the Nueva Balestera Stadium in Palencia and the winners will qualify for the final phase of the tournament, which will take place from June 10 to June 23 in the Netherlands.


Italy U21 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Curci (Roma), Viviano (Brescia).
Defenders: Andreolli (Inter), Chiellini (Juventus), Coda (Udinese), Mantovani (Chievo), Pisano (Cagliari), Potenza (Fiorentina) Scurto (Chievo).
Midfielders: Aquilani (Roma), Cigarini (Parma), Dessena (Parma), Lazzari (Cesena), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Piacenza), Padoin (Vicenza), Rosi (Roma), Rosina (Torino).
Forwards: Palladino (Juventus), Pellé (Cesena), Pozzi (Empoli), Rossi (Newcastle United).