After reigning victorious at the delayed Euro 2020 last year, Italy bringing back a player of the past in Mario Balotelli is somewhat surprising. However, there is some discontent regarding the striker position and so Italy boss Roberto Mancini is set to recall the familiar face. According to Fabrizio Romano, Balotelli is set for a shock return to the national team picture.
Mario Balotelli Set for Surprise Return to Italy Setup
Fascinating Return for Balotelli
Having not played since 2018, Balotelli will return to the fold in the upcoming international break. It is fascinating really when you consider that the striker was left out for a few years before too. The appearances in 2018 came after Mancini recalled him, the prior run-outs coming back in 2014. Now, fresh off of Euros glory, Italy will add the former Manchester City man to their ranks.
Balotelli is currently plying his trade in the Turkish Super Lig with European football chasing Adana Demirspor. They currently sit fourth and are one of the sides to take advantage of the shortcomings of the big three (Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Galatasaray). The 31-year-old has netted eight times in his first 19 appearances in Adana in what is their first taste of top division football in 26 years.
Why Roberto Mancini is Recalling the Striker
Balotelli is of course performing well for his new side and he still has a few years left in him. That being said, it remains a puzzling decision to recall him to the set-up. Lazio star-man Ciro Immobile started up front as Mancini’s men went all the way last summer, yet national team fans aren’t sold on him. He has been a prolific scorer in Italy since departing Borussia Dortmund, but many want more goals from him whilst representing the Azzurri.
Lorenzo Insigne, Domenico Berardi and Federico Chiesa all thrived from out wide and so Immobile was accommodating those around him. Immobile isn’t the only competition for Balotelli up-front. The experienced Andrea Belotti, of Torino, who is constantly linked with a move to the Premier League, was in Mancini’s ranks for the Euros. The third and final striker was Giacomo Raspadori who has gone from strength to strength with Sassuolo and was subsequently rewarded with the national team call-up. Raspadori is 21, Belotti is 28 and the other two are 31. The former may be the future, but Balotelli could have an instant impact now, especially given Chiesa’s devastating ACL injury.
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