Cesare Prandelli has said that Mario Balotelli is currently showing an impressive desire to succeed with the national team.

The AC Milan striker scored the winning goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over Mexico in the Confederations Cup, and Prandelli has praised the striker for his current attitude.

"[Mario] is very motivated to shine in the Azzurri jersey," Prandelli told reporters.

"The squad is also supportive and these things can help him to grow up. He has extraordinary potential and we've always said that. We need to put him in the condition to do well, but he too has to contribute [and] he is doing [that].

"Mario can set the example [to the team], even if he needs to improve his behaviour a little bit. It is always difficult to talk about Mario, because he can always do something weird from one moment to the next.

Prandelli also admitted that he plans to ring the changes for tonight's match with Japan.

Written by
Paul Gorst