Balotelli: England are not Italy's World Cup rivals
- adamhigginsuk
- May 29, 2014
- 2 min read
MARIO Balotelli feels Group D opponents England will be no match for Italy at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
England face Balotelli’s Italy in their opening game on June 14 in Manaus, before taking on South American opponents Uruguay and Costa Rica.
And Balotelli, 23, who was part of the Azzuri side who knocked England out of Euro 2012 in the quarter-finals on penalties, has fuelled the fire by questioning the mentality of England’s players at major tournaments.
“I don’t look at England as a team that can win the World Cup,” the AC Milan striker said. “They have some good players but they are no real rivals for Italy.”
Balotelli believes the experience of Italy, who won their fourth World Cup in 2006, will give them the edge over their counterparts.
“I am not saying that Italy are favourites,” he insisted. “But we have the mentality and experienced players to surprise people. I don’t think England have that.
“We have players who have won the World Cup. I don’t think England have a player who knows what it is like to play past the quarter-final.”
Former Inter Milan forward Balotelli was notorious for his erratic off-field antics during his three years in England with Manchester City before joining AC Milan in January 2013.
He scored 30 goals in 49 starts for City, helping them win the 2011 FA Cup as well as the Premier League title and Community Shield in 2012.
Balotelli, who has 12 goals in 29 internationals, is confident that Italy can kick start their World Cup campaign with victory over the Three Lions.
“In the opening game we have to respect England because it is important to get off to a good start,” he added.
“They have maybe two or three players who can hurt us but we feel well prepared for the tournament and expect to start off with a win.”
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