'Balotelli? I would pick players with intelligence'

Balotelli barely trained during pre-season due to a stand-off with Nice as he looked to force through a move to Marseille, only for the switch to fall through at the 11th hour.

That lack of fitness has never been more evident than during the game against Poland, when everything that could go wrong did for the former Manchester City man.

Balotelli was by no means alone in performing poorly, with Italy on the whole only mounting any sort of resistance late on as Chelsea new boy Jorginho earned them a point.

However, speaking following the game, Sacchi certainly didn't hold back when discussing Balotelli.

"Football is a team sport and intelligence is more important thant your feet. Thus I would choose players with intelligence," he explained, making direct reference to the striker.

"We need generosity, passion and professionalism. We all have a car but to make it move it needs pertorl. In football, the petrol is intelligence, passion and professionalism."

Balotelli may be spared another ear-bashing when Italy take on Portugal on Monday, with it looking unlikely that he will be fit to start the game.