Darmian, Pirlo and Giovinco named in Italy squad

The MLS duo and the Manchester United star have been named in Antonio Conte's group for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Malta 

Sebastian Giovinco has been recalled to the Italy squad, but his place could be in jeopardy after he limped off in Toronto FC's MLS match on Saturday.



Giovinco was withdrawn in the 51st minute of Toronto's 2-1 win over Montreal Impact and will need to make a speedy recovery to be fit in time for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Malta and Bulgaria.

Toronto coach Greg Vanney revealed afterwards that Giovinco was subbed off due to groin soreness - an ongoing issue for the 28-year-old, who is still expected to travel to Italy's camp and be reassessed by Conte's staff ahead of the qualifiers on September 3 and 6.

Many critics had cast doubt over the forward's international career when he chose to join Toronto from Juventus in January, but 17 goals and 13 assists in 25 MLS fixtures has seen Conte hand him a call-up for the first time since the friendly against Albania in November.

Nine of the 28 players selected by Conte are based outside Italy, with Giovinco and veteran midfielder Andrea Pirlo of New York City FC, joined by Paris Saint-Germain duo Salvatore Sirigu and Marco Verratti, plus Monaco's Stephan El Shaarawy.

Premier League pair Matteo Darmian of Manchester United and Southampton's Graziano Pelle were also named, as was Sevilla's Ciro Immobile and Domenico Criscito of Zenit.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Daniele Padelli (Torino), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain)

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Sassuolo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Zenit), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter)

Midfielders: Andrea Bertolacci (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Andrea Pirlo (New York City), Roberto Soriano (Sampdoria), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Eder (Sampdoria), Stephan El Shaarawy (Monaco), Manolo Gabbiadini (Napoli), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto), Ciro Immobile (Sevilla), Graziano Pelle (Southampton), Franco Vazquez (Palermo), Simone Zaza (Juventus). [GOAL]