Italy opted not to include the striker despite his displays for Nice, but the Azzurri boss is watching him closely for progress
Giampiero Ventura says in-form Nice striker Mario Balotelli has to show more consistency if he is to seal a return to the Italy squad.
Why always Mario? What we learned in Europe this weekend
The 26-year-old continued his impressive start to the season with a superb late winner against Lorient on Sunday but was sent off in stoppage-time after receiving his second yellow card in the space of six minutes.
Balotelli has scored six goals in five appearances across all competitions this season and had been tipped to earn a recall for Italy, who he last played for at the World Cup in 2014.
However, Ventura opted to leave Balotelli out of his final 26-man squad to face Spain and Macedonia in World Cup qualification despite having given him a pre-call.
“His ability as a player is unquestionable, it’s the rest,” Ventura said at a press conference. “His pre-selection was a sign that there are no foregone conclusions about players.
“The pre-call came because he is back to playing and scoring – now it takes consistency. The important thing is that the players are playing, in Italy or abroad.”
Ventura warned Italy over the scale of their challenge in having to face their biggest rivals to win Group G, Spain, at Juventus Stadium on Thursday.
Premier League Team of the Week: Cazorla & David Luiz IN
“It’s important, but not decisive,” he said. “We are facing the best team in the group.
“The last game they lost in World Cup qualifying was 23 years ago. They are a team which has changed in their approach and how they do things on the pitch.
“It’s a different Spain to the past. How they played at Euro 2016 doesn’t tell us much.
“They’ve changed direction and revitalised the team. I can really appreciate [Spain coach] Lopetegui, he’s given them ideas and enthusiasm.
“It’s inevitable that there will be rotation for the Spain and Macedonia games. They’re two fixtures very close together.”