FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: Prandelli turns to Gilardino against Spain

Alberto Gilardino (C) runs with team-mates during Italy training at Estadio Presidente Vargas on June 25, 2013 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Getty Images)

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli confirmed on Wednesday that experienced striker Alberto Gilardino will come in for the injured Mario Balotelli in Thursday’s Confederations Cup semi-final with Spain.

Balotelli, 22, returned to Italy earlier this week after being ruled out of the tournament with a thigh muscle injury.

The AC Milan player has emerged as Italy’s most important striker over the past year, but Prandelli said 30-year-old Gilardino, with whom he worked at Parma and Fiorentina, would prove a capable deputy.

“Gilardino is going to play,” Prandelli said during the pre-game media conference at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza.

“He’s a trustworthy and reliable player. He’s a reference point for the team and he’s also good at scoring goals.

“I’m not playing him because I have a good relationship with him, but because he’s one of the best attackers that we have.”

Prandelli conceded that Balotelli’s absence was a blow, but he suggested that Italy might find ways of becoming even more effective without the former Manchester City striker on the pitch.

“I’m sorry he’s not here, because I know he really wanted to be here,” Prandelli said.

“Individually, he can give a great contribution to the team. Maybe we will lose something in terms of individual quality, but perhaps we can improve in terms of the overall quality of the team.”

The winners of Thursday’s game will face hosts Brazil in the final at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana on Sunday.