Roberto Mancini will hand Mario Balotelli his first Azzurri call up in over three years as he looks to secure qualification to this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Italy have a tough path to this winter’s World Cup, needing to beat North Macedonia and the winner of Turkey-Portugal to book their spot in the competition. Ahead of the upcoming international break, the Azzurri coach has decided to phone up an old friend.
Balotelli will be making his Italy return for the first time since September 2018. The player missed out on the successful Euro 2020 campaign and he was no more than a fan watching Italy finish second in their 2022 World Cup qualifier group behind Switzerland, but now he has the chance to make the difference.
Italy only have a handful of true centre forwards up to the task currently; Ciro Immobile, Andrea Belotti, Gianluca Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori. The Lazio striker has never replicated his Biancocelesti form with the Azzurri and Belotti is currently out injured. The two Sassuolo forwards, both under 23, only have nine caps between them and so are not the most experienced options.
In this context, it’s easy to see why Mancini has decided to take a punt on Balotelli again. The 31-year-old striker has seemingly re-found his form in Turkey, scoring seven goals in 18 league appearances, and he is an experienced and proven goalscorer, having scored 14 goals in 36 caps for the Azzurri in the past.
Mancini knows that Italy need to be at their best if they want to qualify for the tournament, as a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal will be no push over, and so calling up the temperamental Balotelli is a sign that the Azzurri coach will do whatever’s necessary to qualify for the World Cup.
FI how do u write something like this when it heresay I mean what do ur journalist do they here a rumor and write an article that he is being called up. I mean he is washed up just because he scored a few goals in turkey all of a sudden he is a hero. Why don’t u guy write some credible stuff like scamacca or petagna or others. U guys are better then this.
I don’t think Mancio will deviate from his 4-3-3 so it will 1 striker (Immobile) with 2 Wingers (likely Insigne & Berardi).
I forgot that Belotti is out injured. Given this and the lack of experience of Scamacca and Raspadori, make sense that Balo is likely getting recalled.
Why is Kean constantly ignored? He’s young but plays reasonably well and always gives one hundred per cent.
Moise Kean will surely be there as well if they decide to bring 5.
Can’t see Kevin Lasagna or Gabbiadini being drawn back in.
Until DoF’s increase the percentage of Italians in our own league this will continue to be a problem.
GK: Sirigu and Meret are a concern. Gigio playing only 1/3rd of the matches for PSG is troubling.
DEF: Spina iniury has set us back. Toloi also injured much of the year. Bastoni was bad in the UNL but his Inter form has beem superb.
MID: Chiesa’s injury the big problem. Pessina is back from his injury. Verratti currently healthy. Loca seems to mirror what Juve are doing. When they drop Points, he is deemed at fault. When they are doing well, people praise him. Barella is the best Midfielder in the league by quite a margin. Pellegrini, verdict is still out if he is NT worthy. I don’t fully trust him.
CF: All know about Ciruzzo. Kean struggling, Scamacca OK, I have no complaints with him. Raspadori is a good additional player but at this stage he’s nothing special and will not strike fear into opposing defenders. If he wants to be like his idol Sergio Aguero he needs to take it to the next level in the next year or two.
having to turn to Balo for a 4th chance is just like making Ventura coach again after / IF Mancini fails.
Balo is in the worst form of his career and anyone who expects him to be a hero is on serious drugs.
id rather see Kean who i have barely in faith in get the chance.
I think FI is reporting an unfounded rumor. Why would he call up Balotelli instead of Immobile and Scamacca? Makes no sense.
What do you mean ‘instead of’ ?
Could it be possible that all 3 will be called?
This is not an article about the starting lineup.
We need all the help we can get for the play-offs. If Balotelli can stay focused for just two matches, he can be of great help.
Kean balotelli have no business in Italy worthless players, scmacca pobega zaniolo so many others way better then those two failures I can’t understand how anyone that agrees with this article. Not to mention most Italian media writes articles based on rumors and here say which is a joke in it of itself. Seem like they r told or paid to further rumors for someone interest.
If balotelli can stay focused for 2 matches cmon u serious this guy is finished and has been. That comment makes no sense. If he hasn’t focused in his career what makes u think he will now and for 2 games.
I cant wait for balotelli to shut all your negative comments up! You all will be cheering his name in the world cup when he gets us there! Forza balo! Best news yet
To the poster named ITALIAN, clearly you are racist. First of all, as a Napoli supporter, I must ask you, have you seen Petagna play??? If there is a player more useless than Belotti in Serie A, it may be Petagna. You say Kean is worthless? lol. Go find another sport to follow as you clearly know nothing about soccer. Kean isn’t ready for prime time, but to say he’s useless, again, skin color must be fueling your opinion. Sad that people like you make the rest of us italians look bad.
Zaniolo will be injured in the 38th second of the first training session.
This is not a match for Pobega. What does he have to do with Balotelli? Different positions.
Pobega is behind the depth chart behind Verratti, Loca, Tonali in his position.
Clearly racist?
Kean has what, 3 goals? Petagna is a donkey, I agree. But Kean will be there, I’m sure. He has pace that not all of our guys have.
Been thinking about this rumored Balotelli recall to the Training Camp.
If either of these matches (yes,I believe we will be playing 2 of them) go to PK’s, then it could be possible that Balo is being brought in just a convert a PK. Nobody is perfect on PK’s as we know, afterall a failed PK brought us to the Playoff, but we have:
Balotelli, Jorginho, Bonucci, Insigne, Berna, Ciro, Berardi. All rigoristi even if they aren’t all first choice at their clubs. Options. Gigio in net.
That’s not to say of course that North Macedonia, Portugal/ Turkey don’t. They all do as well. Nothing but respect to our opponents. But I would not want to take this to PK’s if I were them. Which for an Italy fan, PK’s are historically trouble but I would feel comfortable if it goes to that.
Süper Mario balotelli 🌩️🌩️🌩️🌩️🌩️🌩️
Kean is having a poor season. I’d definetly choose Balo over him as he’s always been a good finisher. Although he definetly shouldn’t start. Immobile, Insigne and Berardi should start. Scamacca will fight Balo to be the supersub. Chiesa is a huge loss.
Joey and Brandon by your ignorant reply of racism, only racist would provide that reply to a critique or comments and use it in that context.
And on what I said it’s truth.
Pretty sure my comment defended Joey’s accusation that your comment was racist.
In other words, I don’t think it was. Understand?