Pirlo: Balotelli Could Be Crucial To Italy's World Cup Bid

Andrea Pirlo believes Italy�s bid to win the FIFA World Cup could be dependent on the form of Milan striker Mario Balotelli.

Cesare Prandelli�s charges booked their spot in Brazil by finishing top of UEFA qualifying Group B, winning six and drawing four of their 10 matches.

Balotelli was an integral part of Italy�s unbeaten qualifying campaign, scoring five goals, and the 23-year-old will be looked upon to help Italy through a tricky World Cup group featuring Uruguay, England and Costa Rica.

Experienced Juventus midfielder Pirlo feels the form of Balotelli could be crucial to Italy�s success, but warned that the whole squad will have to be at their best.

�We know it�s a difficult group, but I really like the atmosphere in Brazil,� he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

�Do we depend on Mario Balotelli? Partly yes, but we are all important to the cause. Mario is old enough now, so he doesn�t need advice any more.

�He just needs to focus on finding his form in the summer, concentrate on the football and leave the rest alone.�

Closer to home, Pirlo is hoping to lift the UEFA Europa League in addition to a third straight league title.

Juve earned a Europa League semi-final tie with Primeira Liga leaders Benfica by defeating Lyon 3-1 on aggregate in the last eight, and the club would have the added bonus of playing on home turf should they reach the final.

�Benfica did well to reach the semi-final, they have had a great season and are technically gifted,� Pirlo added.

�(But) we had a clear objective when we went out of the Champions League and that was to reach the final in Turin. The tournament is not a distraction, as we want it as much as the Scudetto.�

Source: completesports