Andrea Pirlo: Mario Balotelli "needs to be pampered"

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo has admitted that he is "slightly concerned" that the temper of teammate Mario Balotelli may pose a threat to his side's chances of beating England tonight.

The two nations meet in a competitive fixture for the first time since 1997 with a place in the semi-finals of Euro 2012 at stake.

Balotelli, who has been sent off four times in the past two seasons for Manchester City, will face a number of his club teammates in Kiev and Pirlo is wary that they may attempt to irritate the 21-year-old in order to provoke a self-destructive response.

"He needs to be pampered a bit," Pirlo told The Sun. "He is fired up for this game and wants to do well with a worldwide audience watching.

"I just get slightly concerned that he is easily provoked and the English players will try and take advantage of this.

"He needs to stay calm and ignore any provocation because there would be dire consequences if he reacts to something and gets sent off and Italy lose the game."

Meanwhile, England coach Gary Neville has warned Roy Hodgson's players against trying to wind Balotelli up as it could backfire.