Pirlo bound for Baku

In for Totti
The 23-year-old Milan AC midfielder has been brought in as a replacement for the injured Francesco Totti, although he is not expected to make the starting line-up for the game in Baku on 7 September.

Good record 
The Brescia-born player has yet to gain a regular place in the Milan side with Rui Costa providing stiff competition, but his record at Under-21 level for Italy has been exceptional. Pirlo scored the winning goal as Italy took the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship title, and scored 15 goals in 37 appearances at U-21 level.

Di Vaio returns 
Elsewhere, Juventus FC's new signing Marco Di Vaio, who missed out on a berth in Italy's FIFA World Cup finals squad, has received a vote of confidence from Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni. However, Internazionale FC striker Christian Vieri and Milan's Filippo Inzaghi should form the attacking duo in Baku with Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero playing just behind them.

Defensive options 
Paolo Maldini, who retired from international football after the World Cup, looks set to be replaced by Juventus defender Mark Iuliano, but Parma AC starlet Daniele Bonera, 21, who has already been capped twice, has gained another call and is considered the long-term replacement for the Milan legend.

Oddo in the squad
S.S. Lazio's new arrival and former Hellas-Verona FC star Massimo Oddo is also involved after he was called up for the first time for the recent friendly against Slovenia.

Italy squad 
Buffon, Toldo, Adani, Cannavaro, Coco, Iuliano, Materazzi, Nesta, Oddo, Panucci, Ambrosini, Di Biagio, Doni, Gattuso, Pirlo, Tommasi, Zauri.