Langella lands Azzurri call

Cagliari's Antonio Langella has been handed his first call-up to the Italian squad.

Marcello Lippi called on the 27-year-old following the withdrawals of Antonio Cassano and Aimo Diana.

Langella - who had not played in the top-flight until this season, and before that only played for two years at Serie B level - now has the chance to make his international bow in front of his home crowd as Italy play Russia at Cagliari's Stadio Sant'Elia.

Lippi also moved to deny claims that Cassano's absence from the squad was due to anything other than an injury.

"Cassano didn't refuse to come in to our headquarters," said Lippi.

"We do calls-up just after the matches, although players know they will be called.

"We really wait to avoid, in case of injuries, that a player will be obliged coming here and then to go back home."