Prandelli reduces squad by seven

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has cut seven players from his provisional Euro 2012 squad ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Luxembourg.

It had been announced by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Monday that Zenit left-back Domenico Criscito would not be travelling to Poland and Ukraine after his room had been searched by police that morning as part of the investigation into the Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal.

Prandelli subsequently confirmed Criscito’s defensive colleagues Davide Astori and Salvatore Bocchetti had also been axed, though for football reasons.

Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano has also missed out, with Prandelli naming Morgan De Sanctis and Salvatore Sirigu to provide cover for captain Gianluigi Buffon.

In midfield, Atalanta duo Luca Cigarini and Ezequiel Schelotto have both been axed, as has Pescara starlet Marco Verratti, whose inclusion in the provisional panel had been something of a surprise.

Prandelli has not dropped any strikers, seemingly increasing the likelihood that he will retain all six of the forwards he named in his original 32-strong list when he announces his final squad on Tuesday.

Italy’s 25-man squad: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain).

Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini (all Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter).

Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini, Claudio Marchisio (both Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus).

Strikers: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City), Fabio Borini (Roma), Antonio Cassano (AC Milan), Mattia Destro (Siena), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma).