Pirlo in Olympic squad

Pirlo is the biggest name in the squad, while Gentile has chosen to take another of the failed Euro 2004 party, Parma defender Matteo Ferrari.

Pirlo's inclusion will come as a blow to Milan, as it had been claimed that the San Siro club would block any approach from Gentile.

Free-scoring centre forward Alberto Gilardino will get the chance to showcase his talents on the world stage, while Roma goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli is the other over-23 player in the squad.

Italy have been drawn against Ghana, Paraguay and Japan for next month's competition in Athens.

Squad:
Marco Amelia (Livorno), Ivan Pelizzoli (Roma); Andrea Barzagli (Chievo), Daniele Bonera (Parma), Cesare Bovo (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Ferrari (Parma), Emiliano Moretti (Parma); Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Marco Donadel (Sampdoria), Andrea Gasbarroni (Palermo), Giandomenico Mesto (Reggina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Giampiero Pinzi (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo; Simone Del Nero (Brescia), Alberto Gilardino (Parma), Giuseppe Sculli (Brescia).