Euro 2012: Italy coach Prandelli applauds 'unique' Balotelli

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli lauded his striker Mario Balotelli as “excellent” and “unique” after his two goals put Italy in the Euro 2012 final with a 2-1 win over Germany.

The 21-year-old Manchester City man showcased his precocious talent with two brute-force strikes in the first half to send his team through.

“Ballotelli was excellent, just like the whole team,” Prandelli said.

“I believe that a team should have an idea and Balotelli really corresponded to this idea. He had a great performance.”

But the player infamous for a questionable temperament showed exemplary discipline when he needed to, Prandelli said.

“Balotelli was in the game, he did exactly what I asked him to do,” the coach said.

“When it comes to Balotelli, I think he is unique. He is strong physically, he can work for the team, but he is also on time, when he is required in the penalty area.”

Italy missed a glut of chances on the counter-attack as Germany pressed forward in search of the equaliser and left holes at the back.

Prandelli insisted “we really deserved a third goal”, but acknowledged his side had nothing left in the final minutes.

“Had they levelled the score, we would have lost 5-2 because we were really exhausted.”

The Italians have just two days’ rest before Sunday’s final against Spain in Kiev.

–IANS/RIA Novosti

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