Italy coach Antonio Conte hopes Mario Balotelli will shake off poor Liverpool form
Striker is given a surprise call-up for key European Championship qualifier against Croatia
Perhaps Mario Balotelli's struggles with Liverpool will have a positive effect on his return to Italy's squad.
That's what Azzurri coach Antonio Conte is hoping for after giving Balotelli a surprising call-up for a key European Championship qualifier against Croatia on Sunday.
Maybe it's even better that Balotelli is coming in during a rough period ... I think he'll dedicate himself to the national team
It's the first time Conte has included Balotelli since taking over from Cesare Prandelli after Italy's first-round elimination from the World Cup.
"Maybe it's even better that Balotelli is coming in during a rough period," Conte said as Italy began training in Florence. "I think he'll dedicate himself to the national team."
Since transferring from AC Milan, Balotelli has scored only two goals in 14 appearances for Liverpool - and none in the Premier League.
Without Balotelli, Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza have taken over as the starters in attack under Conte's preferred 3-5-2 formation. It remains to be seen if Balotelli will be used as a bench option or possibly replace Zaza.
"All players are equal. Balotelli, like everyone else, could play if he's in form but he could also end up on the bench or even in the tribune," Conte said. "Balotelli has a lot of experience with the national team, having played a World Cup and a European Championship. That's important but it's not enough. He's going to have to show me he can adapt to my type of football.