Peruzzi chance for Portugal

By Paolo Menicucci

Italy have handed S.S. Lazio goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi a first call-up for five years in the squad to face Spain this Wednesday, but the Azzurri will be missing the injured Francesco Totti.

Diana called
Coach Giovanni Trapattoni has turned to Peruzzi following an injury to FC Internazionale's Francesco Toldo. Peruzzi, 34, looks set to make the trip to Portugal in the summer as third-choice goalkeeper behind Gianluigi Buffon and Toldo. UC Sampdoria midfield player Aimo Diana is the only new face in Trapattoni's squad for a match at his home stadium. The 26-year-old has scored five goals in 30 games this season.

Final fling
As announced last week, Roberto Baggio is included after Trapattoni offered the 37-year-old the chance of an international farewell ahead of his retirement in the summer. Baggio, whose last cap came in March 1999, suffered a slight muscle injury in scoring Brescia's goal in a 1-1 draw with AC Perugia at the weekend but should be fit to face the Spanish in Genoa.

Trio injured
However, Trapattoni will be without Totti, along with Antonio Cassano and Alessandro Nesta. Totti picked up a calf injury during AS Roma's 3-0 victory against Empoli FC while club-mate Cassano is short of match fitness and has been overlooked. AC Milan defender Nesta misses out with a rib injury, leaving one of Matteo Ferrari, Nicola Legrottaglie and Marco Materazzi to join Fabio Cannavaro in central defence.

Zambrotta back
Nesta's Milan colleagues Filippo Inzaghi and Giuseppe Pancaro are also injured, while Juventus FC left-back Gianluca Zambrotta returns to the squad after missing the friendly win in Portugal last month. His team-mate Alessandro Del Piero has resumed playing six weeks out with a thigh injury but is not ready for the national team.

Italy squad
Buffon, Peruzzi, Cannavaro, Favalli, Ferrari, Legrottaglie, Materazzi, Oddo, Panucci, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Diana, Fiore, Nervo, Perrotta, Pirlo, Baggio, Corradi, Di Vaio, Miccoli, Vieri.