Casiraghi makes U-21 Qualifying call-ups with 6 new faces

By: Francesco | August 28th, 2009

The new Italy U-21 side (who lost their first friendly August 12 vs. Russia 3-2) will now start qualifying for the 2011 UEFA U-21 European Championship to be held in Denmark. The Azzurrini will play two games, one on September 4th away to Wales in Swansea, and the other on September 8th at home vs. Luxembourg in Novara. It is vitally important that the Azzurrini get off to a good start in qualifying so they can have an easy time in the group. Casiraghi has called up 23 players, 6 of which are receiving maiden call-ups. They are: Sampdoria striker (now on loan at Lecce) Guido Marilungo and 18 year old Sampdoria midfielder Roberto Soriano; Monza’s (on loan from Lazio) central defender Alessandro Tuia (considered the heir to Alessandro Nesta); Empoli defender Gabriele Angella; 17 year old Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin; and Inter midfielder Lorenzo Crisetig, who made his first team debut with the Nerazzurri in this summer’s friendly with Bahrain and is only 16 years of age! Traditionally, only those Italian players that are super-talented and possess potential world class ability make the jump from the other national youth teams straight to the U-21 squad, so maybe Crisetig is Italy’s new wonderkid? I guess we’ll find out. Full call-ups after the jump.

Goalkeepers: Fiorillo (Sampdoria), Perin (Genoa), Seculin (Fiorentina);

Defenders: Angella (Empoli), Ariaudo (Juventus), Bellusci (Catania), Brivio (Vicenza), Gentili (Varese), Ranocchia (Bari), Rispoli (Brescia), Tuia (Monza);

Midfielders: Barillà (Reggina), Bolzoni (Frosinone), Castiglia (Cittadella), Crisetig (Inter), Mustacchio (Ancona), Poli (Sampdoria), Soriano (Sampdoria);

Strikers: Balotelli (Inter), Macheda (Manchester United), Marilungo (Lecce), Paloschi (Parma), Pasquato (Empoli).