World Cup qual. - Rossi called up by Italy, Del Piero out

Eurosport - Sun, 05 Oct 21:00:00 2008

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi received his first Italy call-up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Montenegro but Alessandro Del Piero was left out.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 La Liga Sporting-Villarreal Giuseppe Rossi Goal Gol - 0

Napoli defender Fabiano Santacroce, team-mate Christian Maggio and Udinese forward Simone Pepe were also named in an Italy squad for the first time as coach Marcello Lippi rang the changes.

"I couldn't believe it, I was speechless," the Brazilian-born Santacroce, one of few black players to be called up by Italy, said.

"I can't wait to start this adventure and I thank Napoli for improving me and giving me this splendid opportunity."

Former Manchester United player Rossi has won a spot in the squad after impressing Lippi when playing for the under-23 side at August's Beijing Olympics.

Juventus forward Del Piero, 33, was continually overlooked by previous Italy coach Roberto Donadoni but forced his way into the Euro 2008 squad after finishing top scorer in Serie A last season for the first time.

His form has dipped for a stuttering Juve in recent weeks but he was still expected to be called up for the games against Bulgaria next Saturday in Sofia and at home to Montenegro in Lecce on October 15.

The world champions were slightly fortunate to win their opening Group Eight games in Cyprus and at home to Georgia last month.

Injuries this time have not helped their cause with Andrea Pirlo and Marco Materazzi among those ruled out.

Udinese forward Fabio Quagliarella, who scored twice in a 2-0 win over Torino on Sunday to send his side joint top of Serie A, was overlooked with his less high profile team-mate Pepe the biggest surprise in the squad.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Marco Amelia (Palermo), Morgan De Sanctis (Galatasaray).

Defenders: Daniele Bonera (AC Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Andrea Dossena (Liverpool), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Fabiano Santacroce (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan)

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (AS Roma), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Antonio Nocerino (Palermo), Simone Perrotta (Roma)

Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Giuseppe Rossi

Reuters

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  1. comment 3 you're right i hope that lippi is just trying to get the young gun some experience and is saving del piero for the crunch time. i just don't see how del piero won't be playing in the world cup given his current form.

    From football4life, on Tue 7 Oct 4:33AM

  2. Italy calling up the American!? Del Piero must be stunned he was left off for him.

    From NewarkYMCA, on Mon 6 Oct 8:52PM

  3. who cares about luca toni where is del piero? BRING HIM BACK. everybody knows that the italy team revolves around 5 engines. buffon, cannavaro, del piero, totti, and pirlo. the rest are not as important.

    From football4life, on Mon 6 Oct 5:56PM

  4. where is Luca Toni?

    From unitycj, on Mon 6 Oct 10:42AM
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