International Career
Montolivo represented Italy at under-16, under-18, under-19, under-21 levels before receiving his first cap for the national team in 2007.
Montolivo scored the winning goal when Italy's under-21 team defeated Spain 2–1 and qualified for the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship on 10 October 2006. Seven days later, he made his debut for the senior team in a 2–0 friendly win against South Africa. He was included in Italy's provisional squad for Euro 2008 by head coach Roberto Donadoni, however, he was omitted from the final squad of 23 players.
In 2008, Pierluigi Casiraghi called-up Montolivo to participate in the Olympic Games in Beijing. He scored one goal in four appearances as Italy were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Belgium. After playing a bit-part role at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, Montolivo was included in Italy's 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
He started all three games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, partnering Daniele De Rossi as a replacement for the injured Andrea Pirlo.
Montolivo scored his first senior international goal in a 2–1 friendly win against Spain in Bari. Montolivo made four appearances at Euro 2012 as Italy progressed to the final, where they lost 4–0 to Spain.
Read more about this topic: Riccardo Montolivo
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