Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has told Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli he needs to grow up if he is to reach his full his potential.

Prandelli left Balotelli on the bench for Wednesday night’s international friendly against world champions Spain in Bari with Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi preferred up front.

“Mario needs to grow up and understand that if he does so, his physical potential could be devastating,” said Prandelli.

Balotelli has regularly been in hot water over his behaviour, and twice already in pre-season has attracted unwanted headlines.

First he wasted a one-on-one with the goalkeeper against LA Galaxy because he decided to to try a trick and back-heel the ball in rather than shooting normally.

Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini punished him by hauling him off immediately.

Then in Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester United he stormed off down the tunnel after being substituted before the hour  mark.