Italy coach, Cesare Prandelli, has opted for a blend of experience and youth in his preliminary 30 man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Alongside veterans such as Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, and Daniele De Rossi, the former Fiorentina coach could be set to give Mattia Perin, Lorenzo Insigne and Mattia De Sciglio, their first taste of a major international competition.

Surprise inclusions in the 30 man squad include Romulo, who has enjoyed an impressive season on loan at Hellas Verona, and Torino's Matteo Darmian. Both player's have received their first call ups to the national team. 

The Azzurri have named a strong attack force ahead of the tournament, which includes the Serie A's top scorer, Ciro Immobile and AC Milan's Mario Balotelli. Antonio Cassano has also earned his first call up since 2012 after an outstanding campaign with Parma. The veteran number ten was one of the star performers at Euro 2012, and has the ability to provide Prandelli's team with some much needed creativity in the final third.

Giuseppe Rossi's inclusion in the Italian squad will come as a relief to the peninsula's populace, as the Fiorentina forward is seen by many as the most talented in the current national team pool. The former Manchester United player, in his first season back in the Serie A, scored 14 goals in his first 18 appearances before he damaged knee ligaments for the third time in his career. Rossi has, however, impressed on his return for his five month stint on the sidelines, and scored in his side's 4-3 defeat to Sassoulo last week. 

Prandelli is set to cut the squad down to 23 players at the start of June.

Italian squad:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain)

Defenders: Abate (Milan), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Darmian (Torino), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Paletta (Parma), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Ranocchia (Inter)

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Parolo (Parma), Pirlo (Juventus), Romulo (Verona), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)

Forwards: Balotelli (Milan), Cassano (Parma), Cerci (Torino), Destro (Roma), Immobile (Torino), Insigne (Napoli), Rossi (Fiorentina)