Euro 2012: Italy and Germany Announce Final Squads, Prandelli Includes Bonucci
Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has left out Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia and Genoa forward Mattia Destro from Italy's 23-man squad for the 2012 European Championships. However, Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci was included despite being involved in an ongoing match-fixing probe. Prandelli also had to drop Zenit St Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito on Monday after he was informed by police the left-back was being investigated in the same matter.
Bonucci has denied any wrongdoing but his name has been mentioned in testimony during the probe. He has not been formally placed under investigation as yet. The Italian FA has said it has no issues with the Juventus player's inclusion.
The 2006 World Cup winners face Spain in the Group C opener on 10 June. Croatia and the Republic of Ireland are the other two teams in the group.
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St Germain)
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino)
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris St Germain), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City), Fabio Borini (AS Roma), Antonio Cassano (AC Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma)
Meanwhile, Germany boss Joachim Low has omitted goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, midfielders Sven Bender and Julian Draxler and striker Cacau from his final 23-man squad for the European Championships. He announced his team on Monday, with the left out quartet flying back immediately. The Euro 2008 finalists face Portugal on 9 June in the Group B opener. Holland and Denmark are the other two teams in this tournament's group of death.
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hanover 96).
Defenders: Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund).
Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund), Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
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