Cesare Prandelli: 'We can keep an eye on Mario Balotelli'

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has admitted that Mario Balotelli's return to club football in Italy will allow him to "keep a better eye" on the player.

Balotelli joined AC Milan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day in a high-profile big-money move.

The Italy coach has also welcomed that the striker will now have more first-team opportunities at Milan than he did in Manchester.

"I am happy for him," Gazzetta dello Sport quotes Prandelli as saying. "He is in a more cheerful mood. He is back to his old self after playing very little recently. Now he has the chance to play regularly.

"I am happy for him and for us, too, as we can now keep a better eye on him in all senses."

Balotelli struck twice on his Milan debut on Sunday.