Soccer: Conte drops Balotelli

(ANSA) - Rome, September 1 - New Italy coach Antonio Conte dropped Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli from his first squad for a friendly against Netherlands in Bari Thursday and an opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Norway in Oslo the following Tuesday.
    "I will have no pity for anyone," the former Juventus coach said after omitting the flamboyant former Inter Milan, Manchester City and AC Milan centre-forward.
    Conte, who has said "the man is just as important as the player," recalled Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy, who played a blinder in Milan's 3-1 defeat of Lazio at the San Siro Sunday under new coach Pippo Inzaghi.
    'The Pharaoh' had been out for the best part of a year through injury.
    Conte gave a first call-up to Sassuolo striker Simone Zaza.