Cesare Prandelli brands Balotelli as 'one-man' weapon for Italy

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has said that their striker Mario Balotelli is the one-man weapon who can take the national team all the way to the 'moon' but if he does not keep his mind on the job he would be brought straight back down to earth.

Balotelli is once again set to spearhead Italy's attack when they face Costa Rica in Recife, Brazil on Friday, with both teams fighting for top spot in the Group D after they started their respective World Cup campaigns with victory.

According to Sport24, even though Balotelli's frequently lethargic displays ensure that he continues to divide opinion regarding his place in the game's top talents, the striker displayed his undeniable value in the 2-1 victory over England by scoring the match-winning goal.

Prandelli said that if they look at the last four years, there are times when Balotelli was Italy's weapon, the man who would take the team to the moon, and then two months later the striker was not the same player.

The boss said that the important thing is that Balotelli concentrates, adding that if the AC Milan striker can do that for 90 minutes, then good, if not then Italy would have someone else come in and replace him.

Prandelli said that Balotelli can be decisive and important but as in the last match that was against England, the striker must give his 100 percent.