Ron Atkinson: 'Balotelli must be lethal against Spain'

Ron Atkinson has urged Mario Balotelli to play as well as he did against England and Germany if he wants Italy to win Euro 2012.

The former Manchester United manager said that he has been impressed by the striker's recent form in the tournament, which concludes tonight.

"In Italy's last two games, Mario Balotelli has shown me more than in the 18 previous months for Manchester City," Atkinson wrote in his column for Sport 360.

"If City had kept him in the team for the Premier League run-in last season, I don't think they would have won the title.

"But on the form he showed against England and Germany to get Italy into the Euro 2012 final, he's a world-beater that every club and national team manager would want in his side."

Atkinson criticised Balotelli's temperament and cockiness but believes that both he and Italy have performed well enough to be deserved winners.

"It's all well and good talking about being the best player in the world, you have to go out and be it.

"Italy are the team that have impressed me the most in this tournament. They have the spirit and the style. The Juventus factor has had a big bearing because their players in the squad went through the league season unbeaten have a winning mentality.

"They are together and, like Balotelli, they have the talent."

Despite thinking that Italy would be worthy champions, Atkinson predicts that Spain may just edge the tie.