Prandelli puts faith in Balotelli

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has revealed Mario Balotelli will keep his place in the starting line-up for Tuesday’s friendly with Uruguay.

Prandelli says he hopes more of the same from his side and Manchester City striker Balotelli, who scored the opener and set up Giampaolo Pazzini for the second in Friday’s 2-0 win over Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland.

However, Pazzini will be rested with Roma’s Pablo Osvaldo to partner Balotelli up front.

Prandelli told reporters on Monday: “Those who will play from the start are: (Gianluigi) Buffon, (Christian) Maggio, (Giorgio) Chiellini, (Andrea) Ranocchia, (Federico) Balzaretti, (Andrea) Pirlo, (Daniele) De Rossi, (Claudio) Marchisio, (Riccardo) Montolivo, (Pablo) Osvaldo, and (Mario) Balotelli.”

“Against Uruguay I want us to pick up from where we left off against Poland in Wroclaw. I want to see if we need to change things and this will be my most significant test since becoming the Italy coach.”

With Luis Suarez rested for Uruguay, Napoli’s Edinson Cavani is likely to pose the biggest threat to the Azzurri.

“Cavani, like Balotelli, is a modern striker. I remember when he scored a goal against my Fiorentina. He has improved greatly and he is the maximum a coach could want,” Prandelli said of the former Palermo forward.

Italy host Uruguay at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.