Italy national team boss Antonio Conte says Mario Balotelli should not be treated any differently simply because he has potential.
The talented-yet-enigmatic striker has struggled since joining Liverpool from AC Milan in the summer but still managed to gain a recall to the Azzurri squad for an upcoming Euro2016 qualifier against Croatia and friendly with Albania.
Ahead of those two fixtures, Conte spoke to the press about Balotelli and made it clear that he has no plans to give him any special treatment due to the fact that he has plenty of natural ability.
"Personally, I'm not going to pay attention to talk about the club," said Conte.
"People try to exaggerate each situation and I feel sorry for him.
"Today he is here and he has to answer to me. I will judge him by what he does in the next seven to nine days. I'm worried that people see Balotelli differently to the others.
"Balotelli is a normal footballer, just like the others. We don't need to differentiate Balotelli from the others, he's just one of the 23 players. Balotelli has significant experience with the national team, he has played at a World Cup and a European championship, but that's not enough.
"He needs to catch my eye and I have to see if he can adapt to our type of football. If he can, he can play in the starting line-up, but he can also be on the bench or in the stands.
"My duty is to see how I can use them in this national team. This route has today provided Balotelli with the chance to show what he can be. Should he not prove himself, it'll be for a reason."
