On November 6, Antonio Conte announced his Italy squad for the European qualifier against Croatia and the friendly against Albania. The news that really caught the eye is that Conte has jotted down the name of Mario Balotelli in his 26-man squad for the first time in his reign as Italy coach.
The 24-year-old striker hasn’t been enjoying the best of times on Merseyside as he and the whole side struggle with the task of carrying on without the departed Luis Suarez. Despite some decent link-up play, he is yet to score in the Premier League in 14 appearances for the Reds and that’s what people are noticing.
Balotelli has also been under the spotlight of the British media. A minor scandal was fabricated after he swapped shirts with Real Madrid’s Pepe at half-time and pictures of the Italian international were then splashed across the tabloids after he was spotted at a nightclub following Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea.
The former AC Milan forward continues to receive criticism from Italy as well, with former Azzurri coach Arrigo Sacchi saying that Balotelli was too much of an individual to be an effective team player. Conspiracy theorists then pointed to the fact that the forward has a high-profile sponsorship deal with Italy kit manufactures PUMA, who also subsidise Conte’s contract, and suggested that this may have played a part in his surprise selection.
But much of the criticism of the striker is harsh and Italy hardly have a wealth of talent up front that would justify his exclusion from the squad. The inclusion of Ciro Immobile hasn’t gotten the critics fuming despite his lack of goals and playing time at struggling Borussia Dortmund.
The forwards that have missed out are the likes of Sampdoria’s Stefano Okaka and Manolo Gabbiadini along with Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi and Roma’s Mattia Destro. Conte has displayed a willingness to shake up the squad but the reality is that some experience is needed and Balotelli has to be regarded as one of the senior players with 33 caps and 13 international goals.
Okaka, Destro, Berardi and Gabbiadini have all looked promising but are far from the finished product, which always made it a question of when, and not if, Super Mario would make his Italy return. Perhaps it’s a sign of Serie A’s decline; but there are no obvious on-form Italian strikers at successful clubs on the peninsula at the moment, so it’s necessary that Conte’s gaze focuses on players in Germany and England.
For better or for worse, Balotelli is too good to be frozen out despite being difficult to manage. Conte, however, has already sent a strong message that he won’t tolerate any nonsense and it’s clear he realises Balotelli is too much of a talent to be ignored.
Conte did admit that Balotelli still needs to prove himself though, and suggested that the Liverpool striker is currently at the bottom of the pecking order of Italian forwards.
“He must demonstrate that he can be a part of a certain type of football,” Conte said.
“The other four strikers have already given me valuable feedback, so they start at an advantage.”
Italy have not looked threatening enough going forwards and they made hard work of their last two wins over Azerbaijan and Malta. Balotelli is not a traditional, hard-working, Conte-type player but it cannot be a coincidence that the coach has brought him back for their difficult fixture against group leaders Croatia.
Balotelli has served his time on the the sidelines amidst all the 2014 World Cup fallout. Conte’s tough love approach will ensure there are no disciplinary troubles, with the player himself sometimes taking playing for Italy very seriously — possibly too seriously — when he becomes obviously frustrated and flustered.
Mario Balotelli has a great shot at redemption, away from the familiar surroundings of a stuttering Liverpool side and with a point to prove. Conte has brought him back at a time of real pressure when the player’s critics are many, the Azzurri fans are sceptical and there is a tough test against Croatia to come.
Balotelli is at a time when he has to repay the faith in him. If Conte decides to throw him in at the deep end, he will be hoping that it is enough of a jolt to reignite the forward and the Azzurri attack.
Follow Luca Gunby on Twitter at: @Gunbyzono
