Italy striker Mario Balotelli believes his side has the quality to go far at the 2014 World Cup.
The Azzurri yesterday night joined Holland as the only European sides to have so far booked their ticket to next year’s tournament in Brazil.
Mario Balotelli
ADVERTISEMENT
Cesare Prandelli’s side beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Turin, courtesy of a Balotelli penalty, to qualify with two games to spare.
“I think we will be among the favourites (in the World Cup),” Balotelli told Gazzetta dello Sport. “There are still one or two teams that are above us, but they should fear us, not the other way round.”
The four-time World Champions have qualified in style. Italy remain unbeaten in Group B and are seven points clear of nearest rivals Bulgaria, who beat Malta 2-1.
Key results
> Italy 2 (Chiellini, Balotelli) bt Czech Republic 1 (Kozak)
> Sweden 1 (Ibrahimovic) bt Kazakhstan 0
> Germany 3 (Mertesacker, Ozil, Mueller) bt Faroe Islands 0
> Netherlands 2 (Van Persie 2) bt Andorra 0
> Ukraine 0 drew with England 0
> France 4 (Ribery 2, Nasri, Pogba) bt Belarus 2 (Filipenko, Kalachev)
> Uruguay 2 (Cavani, Stuani) bt Colombia 0
> Argentina 5 (Messi 2, Aguero, Di Maria, Rodriguez) bt Paraguay 2 (Nunez, Santa Cruz) u00a0
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
