At last some positive news from the Italy camp ahead of the Euros as Mario Balotelli should be fit to face Spain on Sunday says esare Prandelli
Balotelli pulled up during training on Monday but flew with the squad to their Polish base on Tuesday.
“Balotelli has an issue with his abductor muscle like (right back Christian) Maggio but it shouldn’t be a problem,” Prandelli said.
Asked if the temperamental forward would be ready to face holders Spain in Gdansk, Prandelli added:
“Yes, yes absolutely yes.”
Italy have been hit by a number of injuries in the runup to the tournament and defender Andrea Barzagli could yet be ruled out of the event in Poland and Ukraine because of a calf problem.
There are doubts within the Italy camp about whether Barzagli will be fit for any of the group matches. As a result, Davide Astori has flown to Italy’s Euro 2012 base win Poland and Italy have until Friday to decide whether to keep Barzagli in the squad.
Injury worries, coupled with left back Domenico Criscito being dropped from the squad so he can battle match-fixing allegations, have led Prandelli to consider playing three at the back in their Group C opener against holders Spain on Sunday.
Three at the back against Spain seems suicidal. After a disastrous 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Italy cannot afford a big defeat to the Spanish in their opening game if they are to progress to the knockout stages.