Italy’s Cesare Prandelli has named an initial 31-man squad for the Azzurri’s Confederations Cup campaign.
La Nazionale, who could meet Spain in the knockout stages of the tournament, are drawn in Group A alongside Japan, Mexico and hosts Brazil.
Ahead of the competition, Italy have called up a provisional 31 players for the friendly on May 31 against San Marino and a World Cup qualifier with Czech Republic on June 7.
Before that second game, June 3 will see Prandelli cut the squad down to the final 23 then due to head out for the Confederations Cup.
Spain met Italy twice in last summer’s European Championships, defeating them 4-0 in the tournament final.
Provisional Italy squad for the Confederations Cup
Goalkeepers: Agazzi (Cagliari), Buffon (Juventus), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain);
Defenders: Abate (Milan), Antonelli (Genoa), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Inter);
Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Bonaventura (Atalanta), Candreva (Lazio), Cerci (Torino), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Poli (Sampdoria);
Attackers: Balotelli (Milan), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus), Osvaldo (Roma), Sau (Cagliari).
