Lippi announces 30-man squad with few changes

Marcello Lippi has earlier today announced his squad of 30 players for this World Cup. He will of course need to reduce this to 23 by June 1st. The only notable changes are the inclusion of Daniele De Rossi and Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi. However Nicola Legrotaglie didn't make the cut.

The squad is as follows: -

Goalkeepers: Buffon, Marchetti, De Sanctis, Sirigu

Defenders: Bocchetti, Bonucci, F. Cannavaro, Cassani, Chiellini, Criscito, Grosso, Maggio, Zambrotta

Midfielders: Camoranesi, Candreva, Cossu, De Rossi, Gattuso, Marchisio, Montolivo, Palombo, Pepe, Pirlo

Strikers: Borriello, Di Natale, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Pazzini, G. Rossi, Quagliarella

The squad almost matches the one he took to the Borghesiana training retreat at the beginning of the month. In my eyes there is a decent mix of youth and experience, I was expecting a much older squad but these are encouraging signs.