Former AC Milan and Rangers striker Pippo Maniero has slammed the Italy selection for Mario Balotelli.
The Liverpool striker has received a surprise recall to the Azzurri.
Maniero told Calcissimo.com: "In football you see all sorts, but at this moment Mario Balotelli has done absolutely nothing to deserve the Nazionale. I do not understand this call-up.
"If we consider the words of the Coach, he said some things about the kind of player he wanted and then did not stick to it. It was a broken promise.
"There are other lads at the moment who deserve to play for Italy so much more. Balotelli had his chances.
"Recently he certainly hasn't performed enough to warrant an international call-up. He hasn't even scored a single goal in the Premier League.
"I realise there aren't many options at the moment, but Italy still could've looked at players who at this moment are giving a more positive response. I'm thinking of players like Matri, like Quagliarella or other younger lads.
"Instead they called up a player who hasn't scored much and didn't put in very good performances on the field. I don't agree with Conte's evaluations, but you have to accept them."
