Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been included in Cesare Prandelli's provisional 32-man Italy squad for Euro 2012.
Controversial striker recalled to Azzurri squad
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been included in Cesare Prandelli's provisional 32-man Italy squad for Euro 2012.
The controversial youngster was left out of the Azzurri squad in February for a violation of team ethics over his stamp on Tottenham's Scott Parker during a Premier League clash.
However the 21-year-old, who helped City seal the Premier League title on Sunday, is back in Prandelli's favour ahead of this summer's tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
Balotelli, who has seven caps for Italy, is the only Premier League player included in the party, which will be reduced to 23 men on 29th May.
Cassano
AC Milan's Antonio Cassano has capped his comeback from a heart problem with a recall to the squad.
The forward, who underwent minor heart surgery last year and missed six months before recently making his comeback, has returned to the Italy fold.
Prandelli has named several new faces in his squad, with Rubin Kazan defender Salvatore Bocchetti and Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale included despite having not been called up by the coach before.
Pescara's Marco Verratti, Bologna midfielder Alessandro Diamanti, Siena striker Mattia Destro, Juventus' Emanuele Giaccherini and Atalanta winger Ezequiel Schelotto have all been called on for the first time.
Prior to the Euros, Italy will play two friendly matches against Luxembourg and Russia.
The Azzurri have been drawn in Group C with Spain, Republic of Ireland and Croatia for this summer's tournament.
Provisional Italy squad for Euro 2012:
Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St Germain), Viviano (Palermo); Abate, Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Palermo), Barzagli (Juventus), Bocchetti (Rubin Kazan), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Zenit St Petersburg), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Inter Milan); Cigarini (Atalanta), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris St Germain), Nocerino, Pirlo (Juventus), Schelotto (Atalanta), Verratti (Pescara); Balotelli (Manchester City), Borini (Roma), Cassano, Destro (Siena), Di Natale (Udinese), Giovinco (Parma).
