Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura to talk to Mario Balotelli before naming squad

Ventura says “I will talk with Balotelli before the next call-ups. His technical qualities are not up for discussion, but as my predecessors have also said there are other things concerning him that need to be evaluated.”

Italy was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup, where Balotelli was considered a distraction by several teammates.

Ventura says “after the conversation I will have with him, he will have to ask questions of himself, and above all give himself answers.”