The AC Milan star insists the Azzurri will challenge next
summer after his penalty against Czech Republic secured their place in Brazil.
Mario Balotelli claims teams should be scared of facing
Italy at next summer's World Cup.
The Azzurri confirmed their place in the 2014 finals with
a 2-1 in over Czech Republic on Tuesday, with Balotelli scoring the winner from
the penalty spot, and the AC Milan star is bullish about his side's chances in
Brazil.
"I think we're among the favourites." the
23-year-old told RAI Sport after the match.
"There are one or two teams above us, but they
should fear us, not the other way around."
Libor Kozak had given the Czechs a surprise 19th-minute
lead at Juventus Stadium, with the hosts contributing to their own downfall
with some wayward finishing.
Balotelli was the prime culprit, crashing one shot
against the crossbar, blazing wildly over when played through and failing to
beat Petr Cech when one-on-one multiple times.
And despite finally getting on the scoresheet, the former
Inter youngster admits it was not his most clinical showing.
"Missing that many chances has never happened to me
before," he said.
"When Cech parried that shot I thought he would get
it if I fired low, so I tried to raise the finish and went too high.
"I was unlucky, but I just kept trying until the
end."
Italy now have an unassailable seven-point lead over
Bulgaria at the top of Group B, and they join Netherlands as Europe's first
guaranteed representatives at next summer's tournament.
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