Berardi called up for Italy's Euro 2016 qualifiers; Giovinco, Pirlo get the nod
Italy coach Antonio Conte handed Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi his first senior call-up for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Norway.
Andrea Pirlo and Sebastian Giovinco also made the 27-man squad as the Azzurri look to solidify top spot in Group H next week.
Mario Balotelli's ruled out with a muscular injury and Daniele De Rossi can't play due to suspension.
A win over Azerbaijan on Oct. 10 would secure Italy's direct qualification for next summer's tournament in France, but the team has struggled to score on a regular basis, not managing more than a goal in any game since March.
The current situation forced Conte to summon Berardi for the first time. Torino's veteran striker Fabio Quagliarella - who's tied for third in Serie A scoring with four goals - will return as well.
Goalkeepers
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Daniele Padelli (Torino), Salvatore Sirigu (PSG)
Defenders
Davide Astori (Fiorentina), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan), Davide Santon (Inter Milan)
Midfielders
Andrea Bertolacci (Milan), Riccardo Montolivo (Milan), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Andrea Pirlo (New York City), Roberto Soriano (Sampdoria), Marco Verratti (PSG)
Forwards
Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Eder (Sampdoria), Stephan El Shaarawy (AS Monaco), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Graziano Pelle (Southampton), Fabio Quagliarella (Torino), Simone Zaza (Juventus)