Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes that Italy supporters need to get behind Mario Balotelli after the striker outplayed Wayne Rooney at Euro 2012.

The Premier League manager has urged the Azzurri to support the controversial frontman, who converted a penalty in Italy's 4-2 win from the spot-kick.

"I think perhaps many are underestimating what [Balotelli] did," Mancini told the Corriere dello Sport. "He was always at the heart of the game, had five or six chances, and was a bit unlucky.

"But we want to compare him with Rooney, who we only noticed when it came to penalties. 'Super Mario' did much better, and he's a great striker we must support all the way."

Italy will take on Germany in the semi-finals of the tournament on Thursday.