Italy coach Marcello Lippi has denied claims that he is not promoting fresh talent and will give debuts to Claudio Marchisio and Domenico Criscito in Wednesday’s friendly against Switzerland.
Lippi has come under pressure to drop members of the 2006 World Cup-winning team after the poor Confederations Cup showing in June when Italy were knocked out at the group stage after defeats by Egypt and Brazil.
The core of his side is still formed by World Cup winners, eight of whom are in the squad for the game in Basel.
Two others, Daniele De Rossi and Gennaro Gattuso, have been rested while striker Luca Toni is unfit.
“They will both play from the first minute,” Lippi told reporters on Tuesday when asked about Juventus midfielder Marchisio and Genoa defender Criscito.
“I see some people keep asking for revolution but we have already had too many revolutions. Here we have youngsters such as Criscito, Marchisio, (Salvatore) Bocchetti, (Davide) Santon.”
Criscito’s uncapped Genoa team mate Bocchetti is also travelling to Switzerland as is Inter highly rated 18-year-old full back Santon, who was a member of the Confederations Cup squad.
Captain Fabio Cannavaro will break Paolo Maldini’s Italy record of 126 appearances if he plays on Wednesday.
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