[Azzurri] Buffon and Pirlo back for Brazil clash

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has recalled Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo to his squad for next week's prestigious friendly with Brazil in London.

Juventus stopper Buffon and AC Milan midfielder Pirlo missed the last match against Greece in November through injury.

But there is no place again for attacking pair Alessandro Del Piero, of Juve, and Antonio Cassano, of Sampdoria, while Giorgio Chiellini is missing through injury.

Chiellini's absence means Fiorentina's Alessandro Gamberini should partner Fabio Cannavaro in defence.

Lippi has included youngsters Alberto Aquilani, Riccardo Montolivo, Giuseppe Rossi and Simone Pepe.

The 23-man Azzurri squad will gather in Milan on Sunday night, train at the San Siro on Monday before travelling to London ahead of Tuesday night's match at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, which kicks off at 1945 UK time (+1hr for Italy/CET).

Italy squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Marco Amelia (Palermo), Morgan De Sanctis (Galatasaray).
Defenders: Daniele Bonera (Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Andrea Dossena (Liverpool), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Fabio Grosso (Lyon), Nicola Legrottaglie (Juventus), Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan).
Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Roma), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Simone Perrotta (Roma), Andrea Pirlo (Milan).
Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Luca Toni (Bayern Munich).