Italy's boss, Cesare Prandelli, in the run up to the friendly against Ukraine, spoke about Balotelli: "Everyone is responsible for their actions. I want responsible players in the national team. I do not know what happened in detail, and I don't want to get involved. If he really said he threw dards because he was bored I think he wanted to provoke or he is sending a message. Next time he's bored he can call me and talk about something else... In some cases behaviour outside the pitch affects what you do on the pitch. Either you realise that or you just damage yourself".

Then he spoke about the formation: "Viviano; Maggio, Gastaldello, Chiellini, Criscito; Nocerino, Montolivo, Marchisio; Aquilani; Gilardino, Rossi.  Giuseppe Rossi is  in great form and deserves trust. Now he must confirm his character in the national team as he did in training and with Villareal. Cassano? I liked him Ljubljana, I am counting on him".