MILAN, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Juventus captain Alessandro Del
Piero could still play in Euro 2008 despite being omitted from
Italy's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Portugal in
Zurich, coach Roberto Donadoni said on Monday.
'With four months to go to the European championships, no
one should feel excluded,' Donadoni told reporters. 'Del Piero
is intelligent, he knows what the situation is very well.'
The 33-year-old striker, a member of the 2006 World
Cup-winning squad, has not played for Italy since his poor
performance in a goalless Euro 2008 qualifier against France in
September, when Donadoni used him out of position on the wing.
The Italian media had expected him to be recalled after a
fine spell in which he has scored seven goals in nine games.
But Donadoni said that form was not the only factor he
considered when making his selections.
'Seven goals do not make a player indispensable,' he said.
Donadoni has also left out Antonio Cassano, who has shown
some of the touches that made him one of Italian soccer's
brightest prospects since joining Sampdoria on loan from Real
Madrid in the close season.
He said the forward had to control his explosive temperament
and be more consistent if he was to win his first cap since
2006.
Donadoni has drafted in Fiorentina defender Alessandro
Gamberini to provide cover for Inter Milan's Marco Materazzi,
who is in doubt after missing training on Monday with a back
problem.
Gamberini takes the place of midfielder Franco Semioli, his
Fiorentina team mate, who pulled out of the 20-man squad with a
foot injury.
