Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi is one of the players to be included in the professional 30 man squad announced by Italy’s national team manager Cesare Prandelli ahead of the World Cup 2014. It was heavily suggested that Prandelli will not think twice about leaving De Rossi out of the team after the recent troubles faced by the Roma midfielder. He has been struggling with temperamental issues this campaign and the former Fiorentina boss has been a strict disciplinarian. He has always maintained that any player with temperamental issues will have no place in his squad.

However, De Rossi has been included in the provisional squad, which also springs a lot of surprises especially in the form of striker Giuseppe Rossi. The Fiorentina man has been struggling with a spate of injury problems in the last few years, but aside from Mario Balotelli, he is one of the finest strikers in the squad. Recognising this, Prandelli has included in in the squad nonetheless. The 27-year-old has featured in only three league matches towards the end of the season. He has missed the last four months of action due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

After being critical of Mario Balotelli’s recent performances for AC Milan, Prandelli has also included him in the squad. Italy will be starting the World Cup campaign on June 12 when they take on England. The heavyweight clash in the opening group game will go a long way into determining the two qualifiers from the group. Uruguay and Costa Rica are the other two teams in the group. They will also provide a stern test towards qualification. Prandelli, though, has surprised everyone by choosing to remain in the base Rio de Janeiro compared with the other teams from the group. Italy will have a lot of travelling to do at the World Cup 2014.