As countries the world over continue qualification rounds for next year’s World Cup, Italy’s bad boy Mario Balotelli has said the country will be the team everyone should fear in Brazil. This was the view of the controversial striker, who scored in the Azzurri’s 2-1 victory against Czech Republic Monday night – a victory that saw them, along with the Netherlands, become the first European side to qualify for the finals. Formidable And the AC Milan attacker says they should be counted amongst the title contenders in Brazil. I think we’re among the favourites, he told RAI Sport. There are one or two teams above us, but they should fear us, not the other way around, he continued. Winning goal Mario Balotelli scored the winner as Italy came from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 to seal Group B. Balotelli stepped up to hit the winner past Petr Cech from the spot in the 54th minute to set the four-time champions on the road to Brazil.