I fear no one! Mario taunts Roy's heroes ahead of quarter-final showdown

By ROB DRAPER

Double act: Antonio Di Natale and Mario Balotelli relax in training

Mario Balotelli has told his Manchester City team-mates and England opponents that he fears none of them as the two nations prepared for Sunday’s Euro 2012 quarter-final in Kiev.
Balotelli, who is expected to return for Italy to take on Roy Hodgson’s men, spoke publicly for the first time at this tournament on the eve of the match to warn his club-mates that he plans to end England’s dream.
Balotelli, who was dropped for the game against the Republic of Ireland but came off the bench to score, said: ‘All the Manchester City players are my friends: James Milner, Joe Hart and Gareth Barry. But the player I fear the most? I don’t fear anyone. I just hope it’s going to be a good match and I think it’s going to be fun to play against my team-mates. They know me and I know them. I just hope it’s going to be nice and fun.

Strike force: Balotelli and Antonio Cassano should face England

‘But I just want to win. Even if they’re my team-mates, I hope they’re going to lose.’
Balotelli shouted angrily when he scored against the Republic of Ireland last Monday, causing team-mate Leonardo Bonucci to cover his mouth with his hand and disguise what he was saying.
But the controversial Italian, famous for police being called to his home when fireworks were let off in the house, for handing out £50 notes in Manchester at Christmas and for exasperating City manager Roberto Mancini so much that he threatened not to play him again, said he had no need to prove himself at the Olympic Stadium.

Sharing the joke: Balotelli giggles during his press conference

‘I don’t know what you mean when you ask if I’m going to make you angry or happy,’ said Balotelli, who is expected to play tonight, even though coach Cesare Prandelli says he will not name the side until an hour before kick-off.
‘Like all of my team-mates I want to put in a good performance and whether you’re entertained is up to you. I don’t think Mario the person needs to demonstrate [anything] to anyone. Because people who know me know what I’m like. I don’t have to demonstrate it to the English, Italians or anyone.’

Decisions, decisions: Cesare Prandelli watches Balotelli Di Natale and Cassano

Asked about a potential celebration, Balotelli added: ‘First I have to score!’
‘The national shirt has always meant a lot to me since I was a kid. It’s absolutely normal that in the first few games I was very emotional. It’s my first European Championship and I think it’s normal to have a reaction.
‘The only thing was I hadn’t scored a goal and that’s why got worked up [against Ireland]. But I wasn’t angry I didn’t have problems with the team or on the pitch. It’s contrary to your colleagues who said I have an attitude problem. I’m fine.’

Dangermen: Gigi Buffon looks on as Di Natale, Cassano and Balotelli jog past

England boss Roy Hodgson is relishing the challenge. England have never beaten a major nation away from Wembley in the knock-out stages of a tournament. They have not progressed beyond a quarter-final for 16 years and have only reached two semi-finals in 62 years of World Cups and Euros.

Not again! Balotelli struggles with a bib

Hodgson said: ‘We’re going into a game that would give us the chance of putting one very unpleasant statistic away — that we haven’t beaten a major team in a tournament finals up to now. It would be nice if we stopped that statistic being thrown at us.
‘Most importantly, it would be nice if we could win and get to the semi-final. It would give us the chance to beat another big team.’

source: dailymail