Italy ring the changes in search of win2
Following a disappointing showing in their opening World Cup qualifying match against Bulgaria on Friday, Italy are hoping for a convincing win against Malta in Modena on Tuesday.
Following a disappointing showing in their opening World Cup qualifying match against Bulgaria on Friday, Italy are hoping for a convincing win against Malta in Modena on Tuesday.
Portugal are the only side to have made an upwards move inside the top 10 of the latest FIFA rankings which have been released.
As Lorenzo Insigne emerged from the bowels of the San Paolo and walked out onto the pitch ahead of Napoli's Serie A match with Fiorentina on Sunday evening, it was broadcast over the loudspeaker that his name had been included in Cesare Prandelli's 25-man Italy squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier.
England winger Adam Johnson has pulled out of the squad to play Moldova and Ukraine in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
Francesco Acerbi has been called into the Italy squad as a replacement for Davide Astori.
The dynamic midfielder emphasised that the award he received on Friday is a credit to his team, while demanding more cutting edge in front of goal as Barca beat Valencia 1-0.
Spain's all-time leading scorer David Villa has been recalled to the squad by Vicente del Bosque for their opening 2014 World Cup qualifying matches.
Italy will be without both first-choice Euro 2012 strikers for this month's World Cup qualifiers after Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli were omitted from the squad.