Controversial Balotelli has matured: Ex-Italy coach

Former Italy football manager Cesare Prandelli believes talented yet controversial striker Mario Balotelli will now be able to fulfil his potential as he spoke like a matured person on his return to Italian club AC Milan.

Over the years Balotelli has come across as a player who loses his mind easily, which has led to red cards in matches and even long suspensions.

But the former Italian coach believes the striker has now reached a pivotal point in his career from where he can only grow as a player.

"Mario has a good heart, I'll always have a lot of affection for him," Prandelli was quoted as saying by goal.com on Monday.

"But I was very impressed with what he said upon his return to Milan, when he spoke of the responsibility of fatherhood and losing his own father."

"It read like the words of a mature person and that is my hope - that he can fulfil his full potential," he said.

The 58-year-old added he likes the revamped shape of the two Milan heavyweight clubs - AC Milan and Inter Milan - and believes there will be a lot of goals in the derby which is scheduled for Sunday.

"They (AC Milan and Inter) are two teams that have gone through a revolution," he said.

"It will be interesting to see how the coaches approach the game tactically. They're both winners and they know each other very well."

"Both teams are contenders for the title, I think there'll be a lot of goals on Sunday."