Coach lauds ‘mature’ Mario

– Italian captain Leonardo Bonucci said over the weekend he believes Mario Balotelli (above) has matured as the Nice striker was set to make his first appearance for the Azzurri in four years.

New coach Roberto Mancini oversaw his first game in charge of the four-time world champions against World Cup-bound Saudi Arabia in a friendly last night in Saint Gallen, Switzerland.

Mancini has called up 27-yearold Balotelli for three upcoming friendlies after the striker was sidelined by Italy over injury and behavioural problems.

“I’ve found Mario changed compared to the past, matured,” AC Milan defender Bonucci told a press conference.

Balotelli has scored 13 goals in 33 appearances for Italy but has not been selected since their humiliating group-stage exit from the 2014 World Cup.

But he may have to wait until the second friendly against France on June 1 to return.

“As for Balotelli, we’ll see if he plays or not (against the Saudis). Mario wants to play in front of his fans in Nice. Let’s see if we deploy him immediately or in the second game,” said Mancini.

“He’ll be one of the strikers and he can give us something good for the future as he’s still young.”

Mancini said that he had not yet decided on the lineup for Monday’s game with the only certainty that AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma would start.

“It’s the first game so it’s important to start well, which does not just mean winning,” said Mancini.

“The most important thing is that the lads play carefree and that they can have fun, even at the cost of making mistakes.”

Italy play a third friendly against the Netherlands, who also failed to qualify for the World Cup, in Turin on June 4. –

Milan