Liverpool starlet was forced out from further international duties due to a hamstring injury earned two days before the probably most important qualifications match against first Croatia who are lucky to lead Group H by goal difference.
The problematic forward played his last Italy minutes at the World Cup and hadn't featured the first team since. Five-month drought was meant to stop versus the Croatians under new coach Antonio Conte who is willing to ensure Balotelli a chance among the starting eleven, despetine calling up several new faces to join the Milano-based setup.
Although considered a flop by the Anfield fans and with the unusually poor start at Liverpool, the 24-year-old is just one of four strikers who haven't yet find form to put Rodgers' team high on the table. The Palermo-born prankster still awaits on a Premiership debut goal, with none of them scored in the first nine appearances.
Is it the scoring that's the problem for Balotelli or the competition itself? Because the striker scored for the team in the Champions League and League Cup, and his goals were match-decisive. The 'Luis Suarez replacement', a nickname he was given, might just be a bit too much for Balotelli who hasn't yet justified it.
Graziano Pelle is doing good on his plan, which is to try and become no.1 striker in the national team and put the ex-Manchester City player to second place. The newly capped forward scored a debut goal in a 1-0 Malta win and is sticking hard to one match - one goal policy at St.Mary's.
Conte's lads are ready to face the Croats without a few key figures - Angelo Ogbonna, Marco Veratti and yes, Balotelli. How will it end for usually tragic Italians who hold 2nd place on the table? We can only predict the outcome.
Source: DSG
