Balotelli, Di Natale team up for Italy

Antonio Di Natale will start alongside Mario Balotelli in Italy’s international friendly against the USA in Genoa on February 29.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has previously overlooked the Udinese striker despite his scoring feats in Serie A, which have seen him collect back-to-back scoring crowns in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

But now Prandelli has told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he wants to see what Di Natale can offer alongside the Manchester City star.

“I have decided that for the friendly with the USA in February I will call him,” the trainer said of the 34-year-old.

“I want to see him with Balotelli, as they are both strikers of great movement.”

“They could move together like Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano. I am curious to see them together, as they could be the solution.”

The Azzurri are missing their first choice front two due to Rossi’s knee ligament injury and Cassano’s recent heart issue, but Prandelli is looking to give the latter in particular as much of a break as necessary in order for him to make it for the Euro 2012 finals next summer.

“I spoke to Antonio over Christmas,” the coach said.

“I will give him as long as possible. I will wait until the last second of the last day (to decide whether he’ll travel).”

Italy start their Euro 2012 campaign against Spain in Gdansk on June 10, with Croatia and the Republic of Ireland their other Group C opponents.