Italy’s Mario Balotelli (left) and Ciro Immobile during a training session in Mangaratiba, Brazil yesterday. (AFP)

Italy star striker Mario Balotelli got a group hug from the Azzurri squad at the start of yesterday’s training session in Mangaratiba after his girlfriend, model Fanny Neguesha said “yes” to his marriage proposal.
“She said yes.. The most important yes in my life,” Balotelli tweeted from Brazil. “That was the place of my question! I Love you and happy birthday too! Je t’aime my WIFE,” he added on Instagram, where he posted a photo of the Brazilian beach where he had proposed, and an image of what looks like a diamond ring on his girlfriend’s finger.
The 23-year-old AC Milan striker reportedly got together with Neguesha in 2013. On May 30, the Belgian model posted a photo on Instagram of a bulging belly - it is unclear if it was her’s - with the caption “Your name... is dream,” suggesting she was either pregnant or looking forward to becoming pregnant.
According to Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, Neguesha joined Balotelli at the Azzurri’s headquarters in Mangaratiba on Monday. In February, Balotelli acknowledged being the father of Pia, a baby girl from a previous relationship with Italian showgirl Raffaella Fico.
Balotelli got applause and a group hug from the rest of the Azzurri squad at the start of training session.

Flu forces Verratti
to skip training session

Paris Saint Germain midfielder Marco Verratti was the only player to skip Italy’s training session yesterday. Verratti is still recovering from a bout of flu, but is not in doubt for Saturday’s opening game against England.
The training session, which was held under incessant tropical rain in Mangaratiba, saw Cesare Prandelli’s boys practice ball possession and quick, tiki-taka-like exchanges in midfield. “Let yourself be assailed,” the coach told the player with the ball, as the squad practiced pressing the man in possession.
Italy aim for a repeat of their Euro 2012 quarter-final encounter, when they dominated possession against England - 63 to 37 per cent. This time, however, they hope to score, since Italy was held to a goalless draw and only overcame England in a penalty shoot-out, despite firing 23 shots at goal during the match. The second part of training session, in which tactics presumably featured, was closed to the press.

Injured Yaya doubtful
for Japan game

Ivory Coast’s African Player of the Year Yaya Toure is doubtful for their opening World Cup group game with Japan on Saturday, coach Sabri Lamouchi told the Ivorian press.
The 31-year-old Manchester City star—whose performances and 20 goals for his club last season were instrumental in bringing them the Premier League title—is still struggling with a hamstring injury he suffered in the title deciding win over West Ham on the last day of the league season. “He finished the season injured and worn out,” said Lamouchi. “He has not yet resumed team training and has to undergo rehabilitation. We are going to do everything in our power so that he will be able to start or at least come on during the game with Japan.”