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'New Pirlo' Tonali wins first Italy call-up as Balotelli is snubbed again

Sandro Tonali, Vincenzo Grifo and Stefano Sensi have been called up to the Italy squad for the first time.

Brescia midfielder Tonali, who only turned 18 in May, has been included on the 27-man list after impressing in Serie B to the extent that he has been compared to Azzurri great Andrea Pirlo.

Hoffenheim's Grifo and Sassuolo's Sensi have also been named in the squad ahead of next week's matches against Portugal and the United States.

Nice striker Mario Balotelli and Torino's Andrea Belotti miss out, however, as does Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin, who has only made one club appearance this season.