Italy boss Antonio Conte refused to confirm if Mario Balotelli will return to the national team fold, but insists he ‘only wants players who are hungry’.
Conte kicked off his reign as Azzurri boss with wins over the Netherlands and Norway, with forward duo Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza, in particular, impressing.
“We have to be happy as even with great optimism I wouldn’t have imagined two victories,” Conte told Sky Sport Italia.
“The group is working, they are coming together and this is very important. I’m calm, I saw them work well so we must continue to improve.
“Zaza? I’m happy with his performance and that of Ciro. They are modern day strikers, very complete as they contribute in defence.
“They are hungry and willing to learn. We can build something beautiful.
“Balotelli? I do not have to name names, performances on the field will tell me who to call up.
“I need people who are hungry, not people who are famous. There’s no turning back.
“I need people who have the desire to ‘raise the field’. I need people who think and play for the team.”
