Cassano Left Out As Lippi Picks Azzurri Squad

The World Cup winning tactician picked his first squad since leaving La Nazionale two years ago and following his return to the bench in June.  

There has been a shake up compared to Roberto Donadoni’s Euro 2008 squad. Christian Panucci and Antonio Cassano have been left out.

Fiorentina’s Alberto Gilardino has been recalled to the team for after he was left snubbed by the ‘Don’.  

Sampdoria’s Angelo Palombo has been included as well as Andrea Dossena from Liverpool. Roma’s Marko Cassetti also received Lippi’s seal of approval.  

Luca Toni and Marco Materazzi are both injured and so they have not been called. The real surprise is Cassano’s exclusion as he was one of La Nazionale’s better players during Euro 2008.  

Vincenzo Iaquinta and Daniele Bonera return to the Azzurri following their exclusion from the European Championship. No major changes in midfield apart from Palombo's inclusion.

Napoli's Christian Maggio and Maurizio Domizzi were tipped for a call up but Lippi decided to look elsewhere. 

Inter's Mario Balotelli will have to wait a little longer for his Azzurri chance too.

Here is the squad of players Lippi has chosen for the friendly against Austria:

Goalkeepers: Marco Amelia, Gianluigi Buffon.

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli, Daniele Bonera, Marco Cassetti, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Dossena, Fabio Grosso, Gianluca Zambrotta.

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani, Mauro Camoranesi, Daniele De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso, Angelo Palombo, Simone Perrotta, Andrea Pirlo.

Strikers: Alessandro Del Piero, Antonio Di Natale, Alberto Gilardino, Vincenzo Iaquinta.  

Salvatore Landolina