Italy recall Buffon
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was recalled to the Italy squad for Wednesday's friendly against Germany in Dortmund, less than a month after making his injury comeback.
Buffon has not played for his country since a herniated disc in his back forced him out of Italy's first match at the World Cup last June.
But having made his injury return in January for Juve, he has earned an immediate call-up to coach Cesare Prandelli's squad.
The major surprise was a first selection for Inter Milan's Brazilian-born midfielder Thiago Motta who has long been a naturalised Italian.
He is one of three Inter players in the squad alongside transfer window signings Giampaolo Pazzini and Andrea Ranocchia.
Antonio Cassano also received his first call-up since his move to AC Milan having missed out on Italy's last friendly in November as he was suspended by his then club Sampdoria.
The only foreign-based player is Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi.
Alessandro Matri is in the squad after scoring two goals for Juventus on Saturday less than a week after making a move from Cagliari.
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo), Emiliano
Viviano (Bologna)
Defenders:
Davide Astori (Cagliari), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)
Midfielders:
Alberto Aquilani (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma), Stefano Mauri (Lazio), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Inter Milan), Antonio Nocerino (Palermo), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria)
Forwards:
Marco Borriello (Roma), Antonio Cassano (Milan), Alessandro Matri (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter Milan), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal/ESP)
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