Bonucci backs Balotelli to shine

Leonardo Bonucci has urged Mario Balotelli to be Italy's smiling assassin in Sunday's European Championship quarter-final against England.

Juventus defender Bonucci has looked out for Balotelli ever since they were team-mates at Inter Milan, arguably never more so than during their country's victory against Republic of Ireland on Monday.

Bonucci said: "If he can smile a bit more, he's a player who can make the difference for us. He's unpredictable, he's strong and he's powerful."

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