Carlo Ancelotti: 'Mario Balotelli is unreliable'

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that Mario Balotelli is unreliable and inconsistent.

The 23-year-old has scored nine goals for AC Milan this season, but Ancelotti feels that he cannot be considered a top player because of his unpredictable nature.

"At the moment Italy are just behind Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Germany," he told RNE.

"Cesare Prandelli is trying to bring down the age of the squad, but his strength remains in the great midfield experience of Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi and Thiago Motta.

"Italy's real problem is in attack, where they do not have any top players. We are waiting for Balotelli, but Balotelli is simply not consistent. He is a great talent, but he can't be relied upon and can leave you down to 10 men at any moment."

Balotelli joined Milan from Manchester City in January 2013.