Balotelli no problem for Italy

Italy team manager Gigi Riva has praised Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli’s good behaviour while on international duty.

Apart from the ‘iPad incident’ in September when the striker had the device with him on the bench during a Euro 2012 qualifier, Balotelli has impressed the Azzurri staff.

The 21-year-old will start Italy’s friendly against Poland on Friday as Cesare Prandelli rewards his recent good form with City.

Off the pitch, Balotelli has continued to cause controversy and he recently stirred up more trouble when he let off fireworks in his house, causing substantial damage to the property.

Riva believes Balotelli will continue to show his maturity and development as a player.

“Balotelli is a player who always behaves well with us. He laughs, jokes, plays,” Riva told Sky Sport Italia.

“He is not the pest who every now and then blows up a house or causes damage.”

The striker recently insisted he is ‘entertaining’ rather than ‘crazy’, as he believes he has been depicted by some elements of the media.