Italy have handed Brazil-born midfielder Thiago Motta a first call-up ahead of a friendly date with Germany.
Inter's Brazilian midfielder joined in squad by Buffon and Cassano
Italy have handed Brazil-born midfielder Thiago Motta a first call-up ahead of a friendly date with Germany.
The Inter Milan ace becomes the latest nationalised star to be selected by coach Cesare Prandelli, following Brazilian striker Amauri and Argentine playmaker Cristian Ledesma.
The inclusion of former Barcelona man Motta comes as something of a surprise as he turned out for Brazil in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
However, as an U23 side were invited to that tournament, it has been decided that any appearances made do not count as full internationals.
Form
That has paved the way for Motta to pledge his allegiance to Italy.
Among the others to be called upon by Prandelli are Alessandro Matri and Sebastian Giovinco, who have both been in fine form of late.
Juventus goalkeeper and national skipper Gianluigi Buffon is also recalled for the first time since undergoing surgery on a back problem suffered in Italy's opening fixture at the 2010 World Cup.
Antonio Cassano, who joined AC Milan in January, is also included again after ending a difficult spell at Sampdoria.
Italy squad to face Germany on 9th February:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo), Emiliano Viviano (Bologna)
Defenders: Davide Astori (Cagliari), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Andrea
Ranocchia (Inter Milan)
Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma), Stefano Mauri (Lazio), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Inter), Antonio
Nocerino (Palermo), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria)
Forwards: Marco Borriello (Roma), Antonio Cassano (AC Milan), Alessandro Matri (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)
