Prandelli frets over Balotelli conduct

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli says Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is not certain of a place in his side at Euro 2012.

Despite impressive showings on the pitch this season, Balotelli has a reputation for a short temper and has been sent off three times since joining City in August 2010.

Speaking ahead of his side’s friendly clash with the USA in Genova on Wednesday, a game that Balotelli has been dropped for, Prandelli said that the enigmatic striker must improve his temperament if he is to feature in Poland and Ukraine.

“As far as Mario Balotelli is concerned, for three months I’ve been saying I have to arrive to Euro 2012 with the team ready for the competition,” Prandelli said.

“And that means I don’t want players who, after any kind of provocation, could leave me with 10 men on the pitch and who are not ready to play in such an important competition as Euro 2012.”

“In my ideal formation Balotelli will be a regular player in Euro 2012, but for me it’s equally important that he proves he’s consistent behaving well on the pitch over the following two or three months, and that he won’t react to any kind of provocation. I don’t want to see his fouls again.”