17/05/2008 10:55
Balotelli Will Be A Great – Casiraghi
Italy Under-21 boss Pierluigi Casiraghi says that Inter Milan wonderkid Mario
Balotelli will develop into a footballing “great”.

The 17-year-old Balotelli has burst onto the scene this season, and has been
tipped by almost all Calcio experts as a superstar of the future.

With Casiraghi coach of the Azzurrini, he would have liked to have called up
Balotelli for the Olympic Games in August, however some legal issues
regarding the youngster’s Ghanaian background means that he cannot represent
his country until he is 18-years-old.

“He has great quality,” said Casiraghi.

“The fact he is so young is not a factor, as in terms of physique and
quality he is already on a par with the others.

“Unfortunately, it is something we can only discuss after August 12, but he
will grow up to be one of the greats.”

The Azzurrini take part in the Toulon Under-21 tournament in France next
week, and they have been drawn in the same group as Honduras, Cameroon and
Korea.

“I just received the tapes of our opponents,” Casiraghi noted.

“In general I am worried about a number of factors, as these are all teams
who work hard, play a different type of football to us and are more
accustomed to the Chinese climate. Plus of course Cameroon won the Olympics
in 2000.”

Anthony Sormani
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