Trapattoni decides against Del Piero

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has named a 22-man squad to face Finland in the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying game on 29 March.

Del Piero missing
Juventus FC captain Alessandro Del Piero is a notable absentee from the squad. The 28-year-old forward has recovered from a thigh injury and played 20 minutes for his club against FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night before coming on as a substitute at half-time in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at AC Milan. However, Trapattoni decided against including Del Piero as the player is not yet ready to play a full 90 minutes.

Inzaghi injury
Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi is also missing after suffering a slight muscle injury during the match against his former team Juventus, when he scored the deciding goal in Milan's victory.

Totti returns
However, Trapattoni is able to welcome Francesco Totti back into the squad. In a injury-ravaged season, the Roma playmaker has not played for the national side since Italy's 2-1 defeat at the hands of South Korea in the second round of FIFA World Cup 2002, a match in which he was dismissed.

Vieri included
Serie A top scorer Christian Vieri also returns to the squad, and the Internazionale FC striker could link up with AC Perugia forward Fabrizio Miccoli who made an impressive international debut in a friendly against Portugal last month.

Competitive chances
S.S. Lazio's Bernardo Corradi, who scored on his debut in the Portugal game, and winger Mauro Camoranesi, who was born in Argentina but holds dual nationality and opted to play for Italy last month, have both retained their places in the squad after the Portugal match.

Slow start
Trapattoni's side have begun their EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign slowly and are currently third in Group 9 with four points from three games, five behind leaders Wales and one behind Serbia and Montenegro.

Italy squad
Buffon, Toldo, Fabio Cannavaro, Nesta, Legrottaglie, Panucci, Ferrari, Birindelli, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Fiore, Perrotta, Zanetti, Pirlo, Tommasi, Corradi, Delvecchio, Miccoli, Totti, Vieri