Giuseppe Rossi has been left out of the Italy squad, with Parma's Antonio Cassano preferred to the injury-plagued Fiorentina frontman. Rossi played 71 minutes of Saturday's goal-less draw against Ireland, but did not do enough to convince Cesare Prandelli that he was match fit.

and the Italy coach has opted for Cassano. Cassano shone as Parma finished sixth in Serie A, and he will go to Brazil along with Torino forwards Alessio Cerci and Ciro Immobile.

Italy lost midfielder Riccardo Montolivo to a broken leg, following an accidental collision with Ireland defender Alex Pearce on Saturday. Alberto Aquilani takes his place in the squad. PSG midfielder Marco Verratti played his way into the squad, and so did Napoli's creative attacker Lorenzo Insigne while veteran Andrea Pirlo will once again represent the Azzuri.

Up front Mario Balotelli will look to shine on the world stage while at their back will be Captain and keeper Gianliugi Buffon who is set to extend his record of 139 Italy appearances.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon, Mattia Perin, Salvatore Sirigu

Defenders: Ignazio Abate, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Matteo Darmian, Mattia De Sciglio, Gabriel Paletta

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani, Antonio Candreva, Daniele De Rossi, Claudio Marchisio, Thiago Motta, Marco Parolo, Andrea Pirlo, Marco Verratti

Forwards: Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano, Alessio Cerci, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne

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