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De Rossi still out for Italy, Balotelli returns
Posted Tuesday, May 24, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

ROME (AP)—Midfielder Daniele De Rossi was left off Italy’s squad for upcoming matches against Estonia and Ireland while striker Mario Balotelli has been recalled.

Balotelli and De Rossi both missed wins over Slovenia and Ukraine in March after violating coach Cesare Prandelli’s code of conduct.

De Rossi is once again not included, after he ended the Serie A season by serving a three-match ban for hitting an opponent.

Midfielder Andrea Pirlo returns after missing much of the season with a knee injury.

Among the other forwards called up on Monday are Antonio Cassano, Alessandro Matri and Giampaolo Pazzini.

Italy faces Estonia in a 2012 European Championship qualifier in Modena on June 3, then takes on Ireland in a friendly in Liege, Belgium, four days later.

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia