Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has declared that he will implore Mario Balotelli to improve his temperament under pressure, following the striker's red card in World Cup qualifying tonight.

Balotelli was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in just three minutes towards the end of a tense stalemate with the Czech Republic in Prague.

The Azzurri held on to claim a point in a 0-0 draw with the Czechs, with Prandelli admitting that he should have substituted the frustrated forward earlier in the match.

He is quoted by Football Italia as saying: "Balotelli has to learn how to accept situations and he needs to grow in that sense. We will drum that message into him.

"I was going to substitute him, but I didn't have time. I wanted depth and we did create some interesting moves, but we're all lacking sharpness at the moment. The most important thing was the result.

"These are the games that help form character, so it was a tough point, but an important one."

Italy will now travel to Brazil for the Confederations Cup, finishing their preparations with a friendly against Haiti in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.