Euro 2012: Pique expects Mario Balotelli to be a major danger for Italy

SPAIN defender Gerard Pique believes his side must stop Mario Balotelli when they take on Italy in their Euro 2012 Group C opener.

The tournament holders and World Cup winners begin their campaign against the Azzurri in Gdansk tomorrow. Pique has identified the Manchester City forward as one of Italy’s players that could cause his side major problems this weekend.

The Barcelona defender expects to be in for a busy afternoon. “We will have to keep a very close eye on him,” Pique said. “Balotelli is a player that can win you a game.

“He is a player that can take the ball and score when you least expect it.”

Spain knocked Italy out of the Euro 2008 tournament in a quarter-final penalty shoot-out. Pique believes his team has what it takes to beat Italy and go all the way in Poland and Ukraine.

“It is important to start with a victory and against the other favourites in the group,” he said. “I think if we play as we know how, we can win this tournament.”