Italian national football team coach Antonio Conte announced the players who will compete in the European Championship qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and Malta. Once again, Mario Balotelli did not make it into the team lineup. The 24-year-old Liverpool striker was not invited to represent the national team. In his place, Southampton football player Graziano Pelle was called up for the first time. The new Italian national team coach Antonio Conte was unable to rely on M. Balotelli in the first qualifying match against Norway due to his accumulated cards in the World Cup. Mario Balotelli transferred from Milan to Liverpool for 20 million euros this summer and has only scored one goal in seven matches so far. 29-year-old Graziano Pelle has scored five goals in eight matches this season and has been given the chance to debut in the national team. Italy is currently leading their group in the European Championship qualifiers. Italian national team lineup: Goalkeepers: G. Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain) Defenders: Bonucci (Juventus), G. Chiellini (Juventus), Darmian (Torino), De Sciglio (Milan), Ogbonna (Juventus), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Ranocchia (Inter), Rugani (Empoli) Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Bonaventura (Milan), Candreva (Lazio), Florenzi (Roma), C. Marchisio (Juventus), Parolo (Lazio), Poli (Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain) Forwards: Destro (Roma), Giovinco (Juventus), Immobile (Borussia), Osvaldo (Inter), Pellè (Southampton), Zaza (Sassuolo)
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