Soccer: Italy coach delighted about Balotelli's return
Striker scored double in debut for AC Milan
04 February, 17:35
(ANSA) - Rome, February 4 - Azzurri coach Cesare Prandelli
said Monday that he was delighted about Mario Balotelli's return
to Italy to play for AC Milan.The 22-year-old Italy forward made an instant impact at Milan after moving from English champions Manchester City last week, scoring the double that earned his new side a 2-1 win over Udinese on Sunday.
"I'm happy that he's back in Italy," Prandelli told reporters ahead of Wednesday's friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. "We have a lad who smiles more. He's won back the peace of mind that he'd lost".
Balotelli moved for a transfer fee of over 20 million euros after two and a half years in England in which he hit the headlines for disciplinary issues and some bizarre off-field incidents and much as for his goals. "There were certain non-soccer situations that had become intolerable for him," said Prandelli.
"Now we can keep checks on him better, in every sense, being as he's in Milan," quipped the coach. "He's become a personality without wanting to and it's not by chance.
"He destined to be someone. Now he must let what he does on the field speak for him, like he did yesterday against Udinese".
Prandelli added that he was thinking of fielding Balotelli together with his 20-year-old club mate, Stephan El Shaarawy, who has scored 15 goals for Milan this season.
He added that they could become the Azzurri's regular attacking combination.
The pair played well together when they partnered each other in a 2-1 friendly defeat to France in November.
"The fact that they play in the same club is an advantage for the national team," said Prandelli.
"It's not the time for definitive decisions, but we're thinking about it".
Both players have Mohawk hairstyles and Prandelli said he would have a 'double Mohawk' if he won the World Cup with them.
Brochure: 
