Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has defended AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli after his red card against the Czech Republic.

Balotelli has apologised after a series of angry tweets aimed at his critics.

"Balotelli is not a player like the others, but he has to realise that we want him to be a player and not a personality. He mustn't think that he needs to win the game all by himself," said the Italy Coach.

Prandelli was speaking in Florence at an event called La Repubblica delle idee.

"He needs to be one of the important players, but the attitude must be that of a team player."