Giuseppe Rossi will not go to Brazil. The Fiorentina striker's long run-up, which began the day after Rinaudo's unfortunate intervention, ended sadly after the (disappointing) friendly against Ireland. Rossi stays at home, and this is perhaps the biggest surprise of the 23-man squad decided by coach Cesare Prandelli.
A choice that will cause discussion, and it could not be otherwise, in a country of saints, navigators and national coaches. A choice that has already left behind the first controversial aftermath. It is Pepito himself, in fact, who comments on the coach's decision in a series of fiery tweets: “Everyone says I'm out of shape: ask anyone for the values of the tests during the week and the match. You will be amazed. Contrasts? Fear? So funny…".
And then again: “I come with the thought before the defender. Next time, as an amateur, I'll wait for the defender to kick him. Small clarifications I wanted to make. But now the most important thing is to support Italy. Come on Azzurri!”.
Not even Mattia Destro will be at the World Cup, protagonist of an amazing second round with the Roma shirt. There will be five strikers available to Prandelli: Balotelli, Cassano, Cerci, Immobile and the surprise Insigne, author of a fluctuating season, but closed in crescendo.
The goalkeepers were already decided. Gigi Buffon will defend our posts, as always. Behind him Salvatore Sirigu has proven to be very reliable, while the third goalkeeper will be the young Mattia Perin.
In defense, the last-minute novelty, even if it was in the air, is Turin full-back Matteo Darmian, an excellent protagonist of the grenade's great season and author of a very convincing performance in the last friendly against Ireland. The other full-backs are Abate and De Sciglio. In addition to the Juventus trio (Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini) there is Gabriel Paletta as central player.
In midfield, Prandelli's plans have certainly been disrupted by the injury of one of his owners, namely Riccardo Montolivo and who knows, now the coach will not be able to find a place even for the best of our young players, that Marco Verratti who makes the fortunes of PSG , among those called up together with Pirlo, Candreva, Marchisio, Aquilani, Thiago Motta, De Rossi and Parolo.
