AP, Florence :
Italy coach Antonio Conte has played down his exclusion of Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli for upcoming European Championship qualifying matches.
Since transferring to Liverpool from AC Milan after the World Cup, Balotelli has yet to score in five appearances in the Premier League and was also left off last month’s Italy squad.
“He has started on a new path, it’s not easy,” Conte said. “Let’s give him time to integrate himself in this new league.
“We’re following him as we follow all the players who play abroad. I make call-ups, not exclusions, which are two very different things.”
Southampton striker Graziano Pelle was included for the first time after scoring four goals in seven Premier League appearances since his summer move from Feyenoord.
“Graziano represents that which I’ve said from the very first day – meritocracy,” Conte said. “He’s a footballer who has scored 50 goals in the past two years. Now he’s in a league which on paper is more competitive than the Dutch one and he is becoming a key player.”
