Italy’s Euro Squad Finalized With Montolivo Cut

May 29, 2008

Riccardo Montolivo has been excluded from the Euro 2008 squad, giving the Azzurri their finalized 23 man selection for the competition.

Donadoni commented on Montolivo’s impressive form in the recently finished Serie A campaign, suggesting that he “did not expect it from him”, and also mentioned his difficulty in making the final cut: “It was a hard decision and I took it only for numerical reasons… He will surely have a bright future on the national team, he can play just like he does with Fiorentina and take Andrea Pirlo’s place.”

Montolivo took the decision in stride and mentioned he expected the cut. At only 23 years old however, Riccardo Montolivo has many more major tournaments to look forward to.

Italy’s Finalized Euro 2008 Squad

Keeper: Gianluigi Buffon, Marco Amelia, Morgan de Sanctis

Defense: Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Barzagli, Gianluca Zambrotta, Christian Panucci, Fabio Grosso, Marco Materazzi, Giorgio Chiellini

Midfield: Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi, Massimo Ambrosini, Mauro Camoranesi, Simone Perotta, Alberto Aquilani

Attack: Luca Toni, Antonio Di Natale, Alessandro Del Piero, Fabio Quagliarella, Marco Boriello, Antonio Cassano

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