Italy: Borriello and three newcomers

Marco Borriello and newcomers Andrea Cossu, Salvatore Sirigu and Leonardo Bonucci are in the Italy squad to face Cameroon.

Marcello Lippi had hinted we could give a recall to the Milan striker, as Borriello has been out since June 2008.

Daniele Bonera also returns, as it is the first call-up since a 2-0 defeat to Brazil on February 10 2009.

The Milan defender was out injured for a year and hasn't actually played for the Azzurri since a 1-1 with Greece on November 19 2008.

However, there is no call for Alessandro Nesta, who had retired from international duty during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, making his last appearance in a 3-1 win away to Georgia on October 11 2006.

There are three debutants in the side for Wednesday's friendly against Cameroon.

Cagliari trequartista Cossu receives his maiden call, joined by Palermo goalkeeper Sirigu and Bari's Under-21 international defender Bonucci.

Palermo full-back Mattia Cassani, Napoli's Christian Maggio and Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo keep their spots.

The Coach was forced to make changes due to injuries for Alberto Gilardino, Giuseppe Rossi, Gianluca Zambrotta, Gianluigi Buffon, Mauro Camoranesi, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Fabio Grosso.

The Azzurri fly out to Montecarlo for the international friendly against Cameroon on Wednesday evening.

Goalkeepers: De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari), Sirigu (Palermo);

Defenders: Bonera (Milan), Bonucci (Bari), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Cassani (Palermo), Maggio (Napoli), Criscito (Genoa);

Midfielders: Pepe (Udinese), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pirlo (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Cossu (Cagliari);

Forwards: Borriello (Milan), Di Natale (Udinese), Pazzini (Sampdoria), Quagliarella (Napoli).

Well I'm completely underwhelmed with Bonera getting back into the squad, but then Ranocchia would have had his place if he wasn't injured.

Borriello deserves his place and is a good shout for the World Cup. Sirigu is a chance to look at a young goalkeeper who has played well, he will be in later squads but probably not the WC when Buffon is fit.

Cossu is a very entertaining player, I like him a lot. Bonucci also deserves his call, but needs to have a good second half of the season as Bari look like they might slump and that will hurt his chances. The rest pick themselves mostly.

International Friendly - 3/3/10 (19.45 UK)

Italy 0-0 Cameroon Half-Time

Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo


Giorgio Chiellini had a goal ruled offside and Andrea Cossu has impressed, as Italy and Cameroon draw 0-0 at the break.

Marcello Lippi experimented with a new 3-4-3 system in this Monte Carlo friendly against Samuel Eto'os Cameroon, who have also qualified for the World Cup. Andrea Cossu was given his debut at the age of 29 and Leonardo Bonucci promoted from the Under-21 side, while Marco Borriello returned for the first time since June 2008.

Giorgio Chiellini risked an own goal in the opening minutes with a poor backpass that took Federico Marchetti by surprise. Antonio Di Natale's header turned an Andrea Pirlo free kick over the bar.

Italy put the ball in the back of the net after a howler from the goalkeeper. Hamidou Souleymane completely mistimed his catch for a corner, which Daniele De Rossi flicked up for Chiellini's header. However, the linesman correctly noted that he was in an offside position.

It was a friendly, but a real game, as Chiellini was booked after 21 minutes and Enoh Eyong followed soon after for clattering into Pirlo. A free kick was not cleared effectively by Fabio Cannavaro, but Georges Mandjeck scuffed the shot well wide.

A wonderful Cossu cross-field ball over the top found Di Natale at the back post, but he couldn't keep the volley on target, hitting the side-netting.

Italy created a fine team move with Cossu's slide-rule pass for Di Natale to fire straight at Souleymanou at the near post, then Borriello's follow-up was smothered from point-blank range. Moments later Cossu again crossed from the right for Di Natale's header off target.

Pirlo was booked for a late tackle on Stephane Mbia before half-time.

Italy: Marchetti; Bonucci, Cannavaro, Chiellini; Maggio, De Rossi, Pirlo, Criscito; Cossu, Borriello, Di Natale

Cameroon: Souleymanou; Mbia, Nkolou, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Mandjeck, A Song, Eyong; Emana, Eto'o; Kouemaha

Ref: Enjimi (Fra)

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Been a decent performance first half, I'm liking Cossu more and more.

Still 0-0. A decent open game, could do with a goal though.

Finished 0-0, pretty boring second half ruined by subs again, only fleeting chances for both sides around the area. Overall pretty low tempo.

Marchetti 6
Bonucci 7
Cannavaro 6 (Cassani 6)
Chiellini 6
Maggio 6
De Rossi 7 (Gattuso 7)
Pirlo 6 (Marchisio 6)
Criscito 6 (Montolivo 7)
Cossu 8
Borriello 6 (Pazzini 5)
Di Natale 7 (Quagliarella 6)

Bonucci and Cossu were great, other than that, we don't look very threatening at all, maybe because of the many substitutions but anw its not the final squad so im a little relieved.

Your Italian?

born in Egypt, have an Italian part in my family, always followed the Azzurri since i was a kid.