Team News: Mario Balotelli starts for Italy

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has kept faith with Mario Balotelli for tonight's friendly against France.

Balotelli failed to make the 18-man Manchester City squad to play Spurs last weekend but leads the line for the Azzurri in Parma.

Stephan El Shaarawy starts alongside Balotelli in attack, a reward for his goalscoring exploits in Serie A so far this season.

Prandelli also hands starting berths to midfield pair Marco Verratti and Antonio Candreva.

France manager Didier Deschamps has picked a strong lineup including Arsenal duo Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud.

Italy: Sirigu, Maggio, Chiellini, Barzagli, Balzaretti, Montolivo, Verratti, Marchisio, Candreva, Balotelli, El Shaarawy

France: France Starting Lineup: Lloris, Debuchy, Koscielny, Sakho, Evra, Capoue, Matuidi, Sissoko, Valbuena, Ribery, Giroud