Buffon lauds Balotelli

Italy skipper Gianluigi Buffon has praised controversial striker Mario Balotelli for his willingness to work for the Italian cause at Euro 2012.

The Manchester City forward was dropped by coach Cesare Prandelli for disciplinary reasons in March 2011 and, judging by that woeful tackle on Arsenal’s Alex Song at the Emirates Stadium 13 months later, it seemed not much had changed in the intervening time.