(ANSA) - Rome, February 4 - Veteran Samp striker Fabio
Quagliarella "deserves" his first Italy call-up in three and a
half years for the Azzurri's first two Euro 2020 qualifiers
against Finland and Liechtenstein in Udine on March 23 and in
Parma on March 26, coach Robertoi Mancini said Monday.
The Samp skipper, 36, has scored 16 goals this term, one less
than Juve and Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo, and has equalled
Argentina and Fiorentina great Gabriel Batistuta's 1995 Serie A
record of scoring in 11 games straight.
"Quagliarella is playing well, he's top scorer, I've been a
fan for a very long time, he deserves to be here," said the
former Inter and Man City coach.
The Naples-born Quagliarella, formerly of Torino, Fiorentina,
Udinese, Napoli and Juventus, quipped that he thought his
call-up was "for a place on the Azzurri staff".
Quagliarella has scored seven goals in 25 appearances for his
country.
Quagliarella deserves to be in squad
Samp striker, 36, quips thought call was for place on staff