Montolivo: World Cup will be a turning point for Mario Balotelli

Montolivo expects Italy to do well even without him

Although Riccardo Montolivo will miss this summer’s showpiece event through injury, the midfielder has high hopes for Italy and believes that the World Cup will be a turning point in Mario Balotelli’s career.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport the 29-year-old spoke of how his “injury was a mixture of anger and disappointment.” Montolivo said: “When I got hurt I understood, I went to the doctor and when I tried to get back up, I heard a crack and saw the World Cup vanish.”

“I thought it was bad luck, I’m a fatalist and I have taken it the right way. It is part of the game and of life. You cannot decide, but if you do fall, you have to get back up. In that week I got married and missed the greatest opportunity of my career. It was not all easy, but we must accept it.”

Although he wouldn’t be able to play in the World Cup, Montolivo said that he “will follow the World Cup as a fan” and believes that Italy “will get to the final or semi-final, as we did in the European Championships.”

Montolivo also added: “Brazil, Spain and Germany are stronger, with Argentina and the Netherlands we are competing and it will be important for us from the debut against England.

“There is the right mix of experienced and young players. The core of the group is from the European Championships and the new faces can bring something extra.”

Montolivo also expects big things from Balotelli. On the controversial striker, the 29-year-old said: “Balotelli? He can express his potential with continuity, it has been hard for him to concentrate only on the field. But the World Cup can be a great occasion for Mario and a turning point in his career. He may prove a lot in this World Cup.”