AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati has jumped to the defence of teammate Mario Balotelli.
The striker is being blamed for Italy's dismal World Cup.
Abbiati declared: "After such a negative World Cup for the whole Italy squad, I'm certain something will snap within him and he'll want to prove he is not the player we saw in Brazil.
"He's a lovely guy who occasionally gets into trouble, but if he gives 100 per cent then there are no problems. Plus who better to help guide him than Pippo, seeing as he too was a striker?
"For example, Ibrahimovic's strength is very simple: he gives 100 per cent in every training session and that hard work pays off. Mario has to understand that. The moment he does realise it, you'll see he can be as good as Ibra."
