Head coach of Italy, Roberto Mancini has announced his squad for the upcoming EURO 2020 qualifiers, but West Ham United defender Angelo Ogbonna wasn’t included despite his decent form in the English Premier League.
Now 30, the central defender was born in Cassino to Nigerian parents who are both from Owerri West in Imo State, and made his debut for the Italian National Team against Poland in an international friendly in 2011, having played for the U21s two years earlier.
In the current season, Ogbonna has made 18 appearances for the Hammers in the Premier League but he wasn’t deemed fit enough for a place in the latest squad named by the former Manchester City and Inter Milan boss.
The Azzurri begin their qualifying campaign against Finland on March 23 before they welcome Leichtenstein in Parma three days later.
Marseille forward Mario Balotelli wasn’t considered for selection despite his rich form in the French Ligue 1.
Juventus young striker Moise Kean has earned a call-up, while Serie A top scorer Fabio Quagliarella has been called up for the first time in eight years.
Alessio Cragno, Armando Izzo, Gianluca Mancini, Nicolo Zaniolo and Leonardo Pavoletti have all earned their first call-ups to the national side.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mattia Perin, Salvatore Sirigu
Defenders: Cristiano Biraghi, Leandro Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Alessandro Florenzi, Armando Izzo, Gianluca Mancini, Cristiano Piccini, Alessio Romagnoli, Leonardo Spinazzola
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella, Bryan Cristante, Jorginho, Stefano Sensi, Marco Verratti, Nicolo Zaniolo
Forwards: Federico Bernardeschi, Federico Chiesa, Stephan El Shaarawy, Vincenzo Grifo, Ciro Immobile, Moise Kean, Kevin Lasagna, Leandro Pavoletti, Matteo Politano, Fabio Quagliarella.
