[U21] Cerci returns to Azzurrini fray

Fit-again Atalanta midfielder Alessio Cerci is back in Italy's squad for Tuesday's friendly against fellow UEFA European Under-21 Championship finalists Germany in Osnabruck.

The 21-year-old Cerci, on loan at Atalanta from Roma, has made five appearances for the Bergamo club since returning to fitness, after five and a half months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Indeed, he has not played for the Azzurrini since 21 November last year, but coach Pierluigi Casiraghi has recalled him for the trip to Germany after opting for the tried and tested – with no uncapped players in his 19-man party.

The five-time European champions qualified for next summer's finals in Sweden after an aggregate 3-1 play-off victory over Israel last month.

The Azzurrini squad will gather in Milan on Sunday night before they travel to Germany on Monday.

Italy squad
Goalkeepers: Andrea Consigli (Rimini), Salvatore Sirigu (Ancona).
Defenders: Marco Andreolli (Sassuolo), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Paolo De Ceglie (Juventus), Lorenzo De Silvestri (Lazio), Marco Motta (Udinese), Fabiano Santacroce (Napoli).
Midfielders: Francesco Bolzoni (Inter), Antonio Candreva (Livorno), Daniele Dessena (Sampdoria), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus), Piermario Morosini (Vicenza), Alessio Cerci (Atalanta).
Forwards: Robert Acquafresca (Cagliari), Mario Balotelli (Inter), Davide Lanzafame (Palermo), Pablo Daniel Osvaldo (Fiorentina).

Source: UEFA