Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci says Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli now faces a battle to win back his Italy place.
Sassuolo striker Simone Zaza starred in Italy's Euro qualifying win over Norway.
Bonucci said: "Mario will certainly have seen the games. If he does what the Coach asks of him, then he can be a reference point for this Nazionale.
"The problem is he needs to understand to play for the Nazionale you have to work all together, run together and move constantly.
"We've never had a problem with Mario. We know what his personality is like and during the World Cup I tried talking to him, but we know his character is his Achilles heel. It can make him strong and weak at the same time."
