Mancini: "Balotelli is not the card of despair"

'' If there are players who can help us, we are happy, the doors of the national team are always open to everyone ''.

Mario Balotelli also returned after three years, last appearance on 7 September 2018 in Bologna with Poland.

Roberto Mancini called him for a three-day internship in Coverciano, the only blue meeting before the world play-offs in March, on the 24th in Palermo with Macedonia and, if successful, five days later away against the winner between Portugal and Turkey.

He will serve the best Italy, strong in the European title, ready to avoid the second exclusion in a row.

This is why the coach wants to evaluate everything and everyone.

Including Balotelli.

'' But don't consider it the card of despair, if despair is like the one before the European Championship, that's fine,

today took part in the first of the two training sessions of this stage which will end on Friday with a match.

The basic form remains 4-3-3 but Mancini is also evaluating different tactical situations: the three-man defense, the double striker, Zaniolo attacking midfielder, Scamacca starting in March: '' He is scoring and doing well, we have always believed in it, it depends on him '', he said, always keeping close to Immobile, Berardi, Insigne.

'' Worried that Lorenzo will go to Canada?

The races will be in March so I don't see any problems, as well as for those in June, he will still be here.

I hope to have all the forwards available for the play-offs, many were injured in November.

We too would have done without playing the match against Macedonia, the pressure will be there but if it is healthy it will do us good. ''

Before then Mancini will only have these days of work, which is why he would not disdain to see the championship round postponed before the play-offs.

'' There were 3-4 more days it would be better otherwise the players would always arrive between Sunday and Monday and then we would play on Thursday.

This stage is right, we have to evaluate many situations and also those who have not been called for a long time like Balotelli and others.

I thank the clubs that, despite not being Fifa, have allowed us to have their players here. ''

Among them Joao Pedro and Luiz Felipe, at the first call.

'' The former has important experience and skills and he must be here with us, the latter may have a great future in the national team ''.

for this reason he would not disdain to see the championship round postponed before the play-offs.

'' There were 3-4 more days it would be better otherwise the players would always arrive between Sunday and Monday and then we would play on Thursday.

This stage is right, we have to evaluate many situations and also those who have not been called for a long time like Balotelli and others.

I thank the clubs that, despite not being Fifa, have allowed us to have their players here. ''

Among them Joao Pedro and Luiz Felipe, at the first call.

'' The former has important experience and skills and he must be here with us, the latter may have a great future in the national team ''.

for this reason he would not disdain to see the championship round postponed before the play-offs.

'' There were 3-4 more days it would be better otherwise the players would always arrive between Sunday and Monday and then we would play on Thursday.

This stage is right, we have to evaluate many situations and also those who have not been called for a long time like Balotelli and others.

I thank the clubs that, despite not being Fifa, have allowed us to have their players here. ''

Among them Joao Pedro and Luiz Felipe, at the first call.

'' The former has important experience and skills and he must be here with us, the latter may have a great future in the national team ''.

There were 3-4 more days it would be better otherwise the players would always arrive between Sunday and Monday and then we would play on Thursday.

This stage is right, we have to evaluate many situations and also those who have not been called for a long time like Balotelli and others.

I thank the clubs that, despite not being Fifa, have allowed us to have their players here. ''

Among them Joao Pedro and Luiz Felipe, at the first call.

'' The former has important experience and skills and he must be here with us, the latter may have a great future in the national team ''.

at the first call.

'' The former has important experience and skills and he must be here with us, the latter may have a great future in the national team ''.