Mario Balotelli is expected to start Italy's next Euro2012 match on the bench according to manager Cesare Prandelli.

The Manchester City striker was subbed off early in the second half of the Azzurri's 1-1 draw with Spain on Sunday with his replacement Antonio Di Natale scoring the opening goal and it appears as though Prandelli will go with the Udinese man against Croatia tomorrow.

Prandelli sent a message to Balotelli regarding his performance, suggesting that the youngster focuses on doing his bit for the team rather than trying to win a game off his own boot.

"Mario is 21 and he is in the process of maturing," Prandelli said. "All I ask him is to play a simple game without thinking of trying to resolve a game alone.

"He needs to think of giving depth to our game. He did a little bit of that against Spain.

"For the first time he has to prove to everyone the potential that he is said to have and for sure he feels more responsibility."

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