Mario Balotelli Must Show Consistency For Call-Up Says Italy Boss Ventura
Italy opted not to include Mario Balotelli in their squad despite his fine form for Nice, but Giampiero Ventura is watching him closely.
Giampiero Ventura says Mario Balotelli has to show consistency before sealing a return to the Italy squad.
The Nice striker, 26, continued his impressive start to the season with a superb late winner against Lorient on Sunday, although he was sent off in stoppage-time after receiving his second yellow card in the space of six minutes.
Balotelli has scored six goals in five appearances across all competitions this season and had been tipped to earn a recall for Italy, who he last played for at the World Cup in 2014.
However, Ventura opted to leave Balotelli out of his final 26-man squad to face Spain and Macedonia in World Cup qualification despite having given him a pre-call.
"His ability as a player is unquestionable, it's the rest," Ventura said at a media conference.
"His pre-selection was a sign that there are no foregone conclusions about players.
"The pre-call came because he is back to playing and scoring - now it takes consistency.
"The important thing is that the players are playing, in Italy or abroad."
