Bonucci included in Italy squad
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci was today included in Italy’s final Euro 2012 squad despite being mentioned in the latest match-fixing investigation to engulf the country.
Bonucci is expected to face questioning as part of a probe carried out by Cremona prosecutors with regards to his time as a Bari player in the 2009-10 campaign. He is not under any formal investigation at this stage and has denied any wrongdoing.
Italy omitted Zenit St Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito from the squad yesterday after he was quizzed by police as part of the same investigation.
Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia and Siena striker Mattia Destro were also left out today by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli as he trimmed his squad to 23 names.
Veteran Udinese forward Antonio Di Natale, 34, survived the cull.
Di Natale, the top Italian scorer in Serie A in the recently-completed season, has not played under Prandelli and is one of five strikers that Italy will take to the tournament to be played in Poland and Ukraine.
AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano has also made Prandelli’s roster after coming back from minor heart surgery. Cassano was Italy’s top scorer in qualifying with six goals.
Recently-crowned Barclays Premier League winner Mario Balotelli of Manchester City is in the group.
The Azzurri meet Luxembourg in a friendly in Parma tonight and then take on Russia in Zurich on Friday.
At Euro 2012, Italy open against defending European and world champions Spain on June 10 and will also face Croatia and Republic of Ireland in Group C.
Italy squad: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St Germain); Abate (AC Milan), Balzaretti (Palermo), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino); De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Motta (Paris St Germain), Nocerino (AC Milan), Pirlo (Juventus); Balotelli (Manchester City), Borini (Roma), Cassano (Milan), Di Natale (Udinese), Giovinco (Parma).
