Mark Hateley has backed Antonio Conte for calling up Mario Balotelli for Italy’s upcoming games.
Most of the CT’s Press conference today ahead of preparation for games with Croatia and Albania centred on the decision to include the 24-year-old in his 26-man squad, despite difficult form in England.
Mark Hateley has backed Antonio Conte for calling up Mario Balotelli for Italy’s upcoming games.
Most of the CT’s Press conference today ahead of preparation for games with Croatia and Albania centred on the decision to include the 24-year-old in his 26-man squad, despite difficult form in England.
However, one former Liverpool forward in Mark Hateley has backed the decision.
“I think he did well to call him up,” the former Milan striker began in an interview with Tuttomercatoweb today.
“Balotelli has showed that he really expresses himself well at international level, so I think that this could spur him on.
“He is lacking confidence in himself and with Italy he could find it again.
“He is struggling at Liverpool, yes, but there is a reason. I think that he is being subjected to comparisons with Luis Suarez and I think it’s wrong.
“Suarez has scored a lot, he has been the leader of the team and it’s impossible to replace somebody like him.
“Obviously Balotelli is not scoring and he is not at his best, but I think that he can raise himself again in Italy’s colours.
“What’s more, Liverpool are not playing well and that’s another reason why he’s been struggling a lot.”