Are the Italians celebrating already? Boss Prandelli salutes Super Mario ahead of final

Beer o'clock: Cesare Prandelli enjoys a drink at a press conference

Prandelli says he is enjoying the challenge of coaching Manchester City's temperamental striker.

There had been doubts before the tournament about whether Balotelli - previously dropped by Prandelli due to his disciplinary record on and off the pitch - would make the final squad and several pundits have questioned whether he is worth the trouble of managing him.

'I have coached Adriano, (Adrian) Mutu, (Antonio) Cassano and Balotelli,' Prandelli said.
'They are difficult to manage but it's more fascinating.

'In the end, they are more faithful than those (players) who think they are a champions when they aren't.

'They are players that have quality and make you win.'

Prandelli heaped praise on Balotelli, who turned in his best performance of the competition so far in the semi-final.

Balotelli, playing in his first major tournament, had not impressed in the Azzurri's group games in Poland and Ukraine although he did score against the Republic of Ireland.

However, he stole the limelight in Warsaw.

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