Mario Balotelli is ready to lead Italy with regular strikers Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi sidelined through injury.
Italian starlet relishing the chance to spearhead attack
Mario Balotelli is ready to spearhead Italy's attack with regular strikers Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi sidelined through injury.
The 21-year-old is set to be handed a starting place by head coach Cesare Prandelli for Friday's friendly with Poland.
Balotelli has only five caps to his name, but he is relishing the task of fronting his country's attack.
When asked if he felt additional pressure with Cassano and Rossi out, he responded: "I always have pressure but I don't feel it.
"The coach expects a lot from me even with Rossi and Cassano in the team.
"We are all strong and in the future, we can enter the history books together.
"But I'm ready to assume the responsibility, I've always been ready.
"Perhaps there are people that think otherwise."
Goals
Balotelli is yet to open his goal tally for Italy and he admits the time has come to find the back of the net.
"I need to wake up and get going," he continued. "For me scoring is the biggest thing. Victories are important but so are goals.
"I know I can arrive to the top. If I'm good up front it's not because I'm fortunate.
"I do believe I can get closer to the level of other champions but I still have a lot of work to do."
© 2012 - 365 Media Group