NOT SO SUPER MARIO: Balotelli knee injury could rule him out of must-win Irish clash
Italian striker Mario Balotelli (21) will undergo a scan on his right knee later today and is a major doubt to face Ireland in the final Group C game on Monday night in Poznan.
The Manchester City forward has been very quiet by his eccentric standards and has yet to score at Euro 2012.
Veteran Udinese goal poacher Antonio Di Natale is likely to replace him up front on what is a must-win game for the 2006 World Champions.
Italy need to win if they are to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-final stage.
But if Spain and Croatia draw 2-2 or higher than both these teams will sides will advance at Italy’s expense. Ireland have no points, have scored just one goal and conceded seven at Euro 2012, are are playing for pride at this stage.
Meanwhile, UEFA have charged Croatia over their fans’ racial chanting aimed at Balotelli in the 1-1 draw with their Group C clash.
But the striker who has a reputation for making the news rather than the sports-pages seemed relaxed strolling around Krakow last week with what was described in true red-top tradition as a ‘mysterious brunette.‘
