Prandelli trusts Balotelli '100 percent'
Reuters - Thursday 24 May 2012, 17:23
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has
said he trusts Mario Balotelli "100 percent" when he says he
would never let Italy down by getting sent off.
Balotelli, who has attracted headlines as much for his
eccentric behaviour as for his play over the last season,
rejected the suggestion that he would be a risk for the national
team.
"When I heard Balotelli say that he wouldn't ever leave
Italy with 10 men, I believe him one hundred per cent," said the
Italy coach.
Prandelli has been preparing for Euro 2012 over the last
three days at the team's headquarters in Coverciano and they are
set to play a practice match against Serie D side Virtus Vecomp
on Thursday.
Balotelli is not in the starting line-up, with Prandelli
preferring to test out Antonio Cassano, Sebastian Giovinco and
Antonio Di Natale.
However, the former Fiorentina manager said he had faith in
all six forwards he has taken to the training camp.
"There's a really good atmosphere. We're aware that we could
do something important [at the European Championships]. The lads
can see that it's a great occasion for everyone, they are taking
responsibility for themselves and they won't fail.
"All six strikers have taken me aback: they know how to
penetrate defences and communicate with the rest of the team.
They are modern attackers."