Casiraghi selects Empoli quartet

Italy coach Pierluigi Casiraghi has included four Empoli FC players in his squad for the friendly against France on 21 August in La Spezia.

Loan stars
Midfielders Sebastian Giovinco and Claudio Marchisio, both on loan from Juventus, striker Nicola Pozzi, on loan from AC Milan, and defender Lino Marzoratti are the quartet representing the UEFA Cup contenders in the first Azzurrini squad to be named since the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands.

'Great talent'
Casiraghi will also count on Villarreal CF's new signing Giuseppe Rossi, Arturo Lupoli and Robert Acquafresca in attack. "We have many players of great talent up front," Casiraghi said. "Now we have to make sure they develop well at their clubs. I hope they improve even more, because the U21 side and Italian football need them." Italy will resume their qualifying campaign for the 2009 UEFA European U21 Championship against the Faroe Islands on 7 September.

Italy squad
Goalkeepers: Andrea Consigli (Rimini Calcio), Salvatore Sirigu (US Cremonese).

Defenders: Marco Andreolli (AS Roma), Domenico Criscito (Juventus), Lino Marzoratti (Empoli FC), Marco Motta (Udinese Calcio), Francesco Pisano (Cagliari Calcio), Andrea Ranocchia (AC Arezzo), Fabiano Santacroce (Brescia Calcio).

Midfielders: Luca Cigarini (Parma FC), Paolo De Ceglie (AC Siena), Daniele Dessena (Parma FC), Sebastian Giovinco (Empoli FC), Claudio Marchisio (Empoli FC), Piermario Morosini (Vicenza Calcio), Gabriele Paonessa (Bologna FC), Andrea Russotto (Treviso FC).

Forwards: Robert Acquafresca (Cagliari Calcio), Arturo Lupoli (ACF Fiorentina), Nicola Pozzi (Empoli FC), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal CF).