Andrea Pirlo Set To Miss Out On Euro 2016 As Antonio Conte Announces 30-Man Italy Squad

 

New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has announced Italy's provisional 30-man squad for the European Championships. It is the end of an era for 37-year-old New York City midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who misses out on a major tournament for the first time since the 2002 World Cup.  Playing in MLS seems to be an issue for any players hoping to make the cut, as Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto has also been excluded.

Pirlo suggested as such when speaking to Gazetta dello Sport this week that “When someone decides to come to the U.S., he knows what he's getting into. I reflected on this and I knew what the risks were”.

Highly regarded Sassuolo youngster Domenico Berardi has been left out, with Conte instead choosing to rely on a strike force that could include the Premier League's Graziano Pelle. Angelo Ogbonna and Matteo Darmian, who also play in the English top flight, have been included. Unsurprisingly, Serie A champions Juventus are the most highly represented side in the squad, with seven players. They are Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele Rugani, Stefano Sturaro and Simone Zaza. Salvatore Sirigu and Thiago Motta have been rewarded for a treble winning season with Paris Saint-Germain with places in the squad.

One of the stars of Euro 2012, Mario Balotelli, has not been included, although that was always to be expected - Conte has used him sparingly throughout his time as Italy manager. Conte will have to cut loose seven players for the tournament. 

ITALY'S 30-MAN SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Federico Marchetti (Lazio), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain)

Defenders: Davide Astori (Fiorentina), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham), Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Davide Zappacosta (Torino)

Midfielders: Marco Benassi (Torino), Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Emanuele Giaccherini (Bologna), Jorginho (Napoli), Riccardo Montolivo (Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Stefano Sturaro (Juventus), Antonio Candreva (Lazio)

Forwards: Eder (Inter), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Graziano Pellè (Southampton), Simone Zaza (Juventus), Federico Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma)