Mario Balotelli will make his first Italy appearance since the 2014 World Cup after being named in the starting XI against Saudi Arabia in new head coach Roberto Mancini’s first match in charge.
Balotelli’s most recent Azzurri appearance came in the 1-0 loss to Uruguay in Group D of the tournament in Brazil, where Italy joined England in failing to progress to the knockout stages.
The striker has endured four years in the international wilderness after being overlooked by Antonio Conte, Gian Piero Ventura and recent caretaker Luigi Di Biagio.