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Mario Balotelli, Giuseppe Rossi partnership on Cesare Prandelli's radar

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli reveals that he plans to experiment with Mario Balotelli and Giuseppe Rossi together in attack at the first possible opportunity.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has admitted that he wants to experiment with Mario Balotelli and Giuseppe Rossi together in attack before next summer's World Cup.

Prandelli was planning to partner the Serie A duo in attack against Germany tonight at the San Siro, but Rossi is out of contention after suffering from illness in midweek.

Pablo Osvaldo has been named alongside Balotelli in the starting XI to face Germany but Prandelli has admitted that he likes the idea of replacing the Southampton striker, adding Rossi for variety in the final third.

He told RAI Sport: "Balotelli with Rossi is a tandem that I really like. The two compliment each other and they don't offer the opposition any points of reference.

"In my mind Balotelli is a centre-forward, while Pepito is someone who can play behind him.

"Unfortunately I can't try this experiment against Germany, but there will be time."

Serie A's top scorer so far this season is hopeful of being fit to feature for Italy in London on Monday night, with Nigeria their opponents at Fulham's Craven Cottage.

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Italy's Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Czech Republic during their World Cup qualifier on September 10, 2013
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

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Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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