Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has praised Daniele De Rossi despite his expulsion from the national squad for the friendly with France.
Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has praised Daniele De Rossi despite his expulsion from the national squad for the friendly with France.
The Azzurri face Didier Deschamps' side in Parma on Wednesday, and will do so without the Roma vice-captain, after he was sent off at the weekend for punching Stefano Mauri.
But the 55-year-old Coach has revealed that the suspension is only a temporary measure.
“I have no doubt about De Rossi as a person,” he told a Press conference. “Every now and then things happen that touch a nerve, and he knows that this incident shouldn't have happened.
“We have to remember that De Rossi is a [Roma] fan as well as a player. He feels the games like no other and has gone too far this time.
“Daniele has apologised to Mauri and I think that is a nice gesture. I have not spoken to him personally, but I will in the coming hours.”
He also commented on Mario Balotelli's exclusion from the Manchester City squad for their win over Tottenham on Sunday.
“Mario is a particular character,” he said. “I have told him to remember that, above all, he is a footballer.”