Antonio Conte (34 Viewers)
- Thread starter Dostoevsky
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Will Balotelli survive Conte crucible?
There are plenty of interesting narratives surrounding Antonio Conte’s Italy squad but as usual, Mario Balotelli’s is the most notable, writes Sam Lewis.
It’s not often that the selection of a player has to be informed to key veterans prior to its announcement. The reports emerging that Italy boss Antonio Conte had to reassure Daniele De Rossi and Gianluigi Buffon of the conditions upon Mario Balotelli’s Azzurri return paint the picture of a nuclear bomb entering the confines of Coverciano rather than the Liverpool striker.
It’s a similar situation to the circumstances around Balotelli’s contract at new club Liverpool, the Anfield club going so far as tasking a 'minder’ to keep an eye on the striker when he’s not at Melwood.
The distractions are not something that Coaches, not least new ones like Conte, are used to enjoying, much less actively inviting toward.
On top of the media circus which already raised its head at the Press conference immediately following Conte’s decision, Balotelli is in awful form. The apathetic displays that were present in flashes over the course of spells at Manchester City and Milan have become ever present in Merseyside. The forward’s yellow card count has doubled his goal tally with just two in 14 appearances, the sparkling form many hoped to have seen by now absent, while frustrating habits still remain. So why now?
“It was planned that Balotelli would be called to be evaluated, because you cannot judge on hearsay. Surely it’s right that we assess him closely,” Conte told media.
Interestingly, it was hearsay that prevented Balotelli’s call-up in the former Juventus Coach’s first squad selections. The turn-around is notable.
Joining Balotelli for 'evaluation’ will be Alessio Cerci, who has not adapted to life outside Torino as well as he may have expected, struggling in Spain with Atletico Madrid. Cerci will too have an opportunity to prove that he plays better when surrounded by his countrymen. Former Granata teammate Ciro Immobile also joins the team after an uneven first few months in Dortmund while the jury is out on whether Graziano Pelle is on the hot streak of a lifetime or is genuinely a starting Azzurri forward in the waiting. In contrast, Balotelli almost appears experienced and consistent. Almost.
Conte continued to say that he is in the process of 'building to find new players’. A Euro 2016 qualifier against a side with the firepower and creative Croatia possesses may not be the most ideal setting in which to throw new faces into the mix, but Italy’s European opponent could act as somewhat of a crucible - weeding out the players that aren’t cut out to play at international level quickly and efficiently.
In addition to discovering those that can’t gel with Antonio Conte’s Azzurri vision, there is also hope that the possibility of surprise selections rising to the challenge and proving themselves is realised.
Without Giuseppe Rossi, Lorenzo Insigne, Mattia Destro or Marco Verratti, the depth of exciting Italian talent is shallower than it could be. Some will sink, some will swim. Mario Balotelli will be hoping not to drown.
There are plenty of interesting narratives surrounding Antonio Conte’s Italy squad but as usual, Mario Balotelli’s is the most notable, writes Sam Lewis.
It’s not often that the selection of a player has to be informed to key veterans prior to its announcement. The reports emerging that Italy boss Antonio Conte had to reassure Daniele De Rossi and Gianluigi Buffon of the conditions upon Mario Balotelli’s Azzurri return paint the picture of a nuclear bomb entering the confines of Coverciano rather than the Liverpool striker.
It’s a similar situation to the circumstances around Balotelli’s contract at new club Liverpool, the Anfield club going so far as tasking a 'minder’ to keep an eye on the striker when he’s not at Melwood.
The distractions are not something that Coaches, not least new ones like Conte, are used to enjoying, much less actively inviting toward.
On top of the media circus which already raised its head at the Press conference immediately following Conte’s decision, Balotelli is in awful form. The apathetic displays that were present in flashes over the course of spells at Manchester City and Milan have become ever present in Merseyside. The forward’s yellow card count has doubled his goal tally with just two in 14 appearances, the sparkling form many hoped to have seen by now absent, while frustrating habits still remain. So why now?
“It was planned that Balotelli would be called to be evaluated, because you cannot judge on hearsay. Surely it’s right that we assess him closely,” Conte told media.
Interestingly, it was hearsay that prevented Balotelli’s call-up in the former Juventus Coach’s first squad selections. The turn-around is notable.
Joining Balotelli for 'evaluation’ will be Alessio Cerci, who has not adapted to life outside Torino as well as he may have expected, struggling in Spain with Atletico Madrid. Cerci will too have an opportunity to prove that he plays better when surrounded by his countrymen. Former Granata teammate Ciro Immobile also joins the team after an uneven first few months in Dortmund while the jury is out on whether Graziano Pelle is on the hot streak of a lifetime or is genuinely a starting Azzurri forward in the waiting. In contrast, Balotelli almost appears experienced and consistent. Almost.
Conte continued to say that he is in the process of 'building to find new players’. A Euro 2016 qualifier against a side with the firepower and creative Croatia possesses may not be the most ideal setting in which to throw new faces into the mix, but Italy’s European opponent could act as somewhat of a crucible - weeding out the players that aren’t cut out to play at international level quickly and efficiently.
In addition to discovering those that can’t gel with Antonio Conte’s Azzurri vision, there is also hope that the possibility of surprise selections rising to the challenge and proving themselves is realised.
Without Giuseppe Rossi, Lorenzo Insigne, Mattia Destro or Marco Verratti, the depth of exciting Italian talent is shallower than it could be. Some will sink, some will swim. Mario Balotelli will be hoping not to drown.
