Italy coach Antonio Conte has spoken out on his decision to drop Mario Balotelli from the Azzurri and insists it was based purely on football matters.
Conte announced that controversial striker Mario Balotelli would be left out of the Italian squad ahead of their upcoming friendly in preparations before they begin their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
Although Balotelli was axed from the Azzurri squad the former Juventus coach has made it clear that he is not trying to make a statement with the exclusion of the the 24-year-old.
“We have been monitoring every match. The call-ups are based on those we observed, with those we had footballing evidence on,” Conte said.
“I don’t have to send a message to anyone. Those who know me know very well how I operate, how I am, I do not present gifts to anyone.
“I also told the lads that today there is this group and that as long as they deserve to be in the national squad, to wear the Azzurri shirt they will remain, but that doesn’t mean that who’s there today will be there tomorrow and vice versa.
“What is important is that those who are in the national team have to know how to behave and how to stay in the team.”
