Lorenzo Insigne receives first Italy call up in youthful Prandelli squad

Sep 2, 2012 9:20:00 PM

The Partenopei striker looks set to win his first cap for the Azzurri, while there was also a place in the squad for Liverpool striker Fabio Borini

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has handed a first international call up to Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne, as part of a youthful squad for next week's 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

The Azzurri, who face Bulgaria on September 7 and Malta three days later, have opted for a blend of youth and experience as they look to get their qualification campaign off to a positive start.

Players such as Angelo Ogbonna and Emannuele Giaccherini, who were peripheral figures at Euro 2012, will be given the opportunity to impress alongside some more established names in Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon and Daniele De Rossi.

Fabio Borini of Liverpool has received the call along with Mattia Destro, Sebastien Giovinco and Insigne. A hat-trick last week for Giampaolo Pazzini has put him back in contention for a starting role in the absence of Mario Balotelli.

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain), Viviano (Fiorentina)

Defenders: Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Roma), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Cassani (Fiorentina), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino)

Midfielders: De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Nocerino (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Poli (Sampdoria), Verratti (Paris St. Germain)

Forwards: Borini (Liverpool), Destro (Roma), Giovinco (Juventus), Insigne (Napoli), Osvaldo (Roma), Pazzini (Milan)

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!