Prandelli leaves Bonucci out

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4 February 2013-PA Sport

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has been omitted from Cesare Prandelli's latest Italy squad because of a lack of discipline.

The Azzurri will meet FIFA World Cup runners-up Netherlands for a friendly in Amsterdam on Wednesday, but Juventus defender Bonucci was not named in the 25-man squad published by the Italian Football Federation.

The 25-year-old has fallen foul of national coach Prandelli's strict code of ethics by earning a two-match Serie A ban for insulting the referee during Juve' recent draw with Genoa.

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, who was left out of Prandelli's last selection for domestic indiscipline, returns to the fold alongside club team-mate and striker Pablo Osvaldo.

Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti is named for the first time since Italy's ill-fated 2010 World Cup campaign, with Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia, Bologna striker Alberto Gilardino and Sampdoria defender Daniele Gastaldello all earning recalls.

AC Milan duo Ignazio Abate and Antonio Nocerino complete the contingent of returning players while striker Mario Balotelli gets the nod three days after completing his transfer to the San Siro.

Italy squad: Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris St Germain); Abate (AC Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Gastaldello (Sampdoria), Peluso (Juventus), Ranocchia (Inter Milan), Santon (Newcastle); Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Florenzi (Roma), Giaccherini (Juventus), Montolivo (AC Milan), Nocerino (AC Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Verratti (Paris St Germain); Balotelli (AC Milan), El Shaarawy (AC Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus), Osvaldo (Roma).