Italy will be looking to record their second victory of Euro 2016 qualifying when they come up against Azerbaijan on Friday afternoon. 

Italy are currently joint top of group H with Croatia after crusing to a 2-0 victory against Norway. 

However Azerbaijan who are now managed by former Germany coach Berti Vogts were defeated in the first match losing narrowly 2-1 to Bulgaria, Azerbaijan have only won 3 of their last 15 games and have failed to qualify for a major tournament in their 23 year history. 

Former Juventus coach Antonio Conte has decided to once again  to leave Liverpool striker Mario Ballotelli out of his squad and has very much dominated the press in the build up to this game and the one against Malta next Tuesday. 

However Borussia Dortmund striker Circo Immobile has played down Mario's absence. 

He said : "There are other strikers here who are playing very well.

"I am thinking of (Mattia) Destro, (Graziano) Pelle, (Dani) Osvaldo and (Sebastian) Giovinco. If they're here, it's because they deserve to be.

"I know Mario very well. He's a good lad, but it's the coach who picks the squad.''

Conte also included Empoli defender Daniele Rugani in his squad and he could of posibly made his international debut, however he has been moved to the under-21 sqaud for the crucial play off against Slovakia after Alessio Romanogali picked up a injury. 

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Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.