He scored both goals when the Azzurri beat Germany 2-1 in the semifinals of Euro 2012 and then converted the decisive penalty when Italy qualified for the World Cup in September with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. "Balotelli has always done well with the national team. He's always behaved appropriately," Abete said. "We remember how fundamental he was at the European Championship and what his brace meant in the semifinal.
"We all expect a lot from him, because everyone is convinced that he has even more potential than what he has showed so far," Abete added. "He has huge potential and we haven't seen all of it yet." Prandelli shares the same view and perhaps nobody has had a greater effect on Balotelli than the current Italy coach, who handed the player his first international appearance weeks after the 2010 World Cup.Former Italy coach Marcello Lippi ignored pressure to call Balotelli up for the 2010 tournament, even though Balotelli helped Inter Milan to the Champions League title that year. The title-holders were then eliminated after the first round in South Africa.
