Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura says the door remains open for Mario Balotelli, whose form for Nice has led to calls for him to be recalled to the national team.
Balotelli, 26, missed a penalty -- only the third miss from the spot in his career -- in Nice's 2-0 win over Lyon at the weekend, but he has nevertheless scored five goals in four Ligue 1 appearances since moving to France from Liverpool in the summer.
Speaking prior to Italy's last international matches earlier this month, Balotelli accepted that he did not yet deserve a recall but said he would ensure Ventura considers him for his next selection next month.
The former Torino coach has told Radio RAI: "It seems like everybody's talking about Balotelli at the moment. He's a fantastic player who has been suppressed by a way of being that has not put him in the conditions to express himself to his best.
"There are no preclusions for anybody, but in these years there has been a dip in his level and there is a gap that he needs to bridge with his behaviour and tactical attitude so that he puts the team first, because the team comes before the individual and it is not the team that has to be at Balotelli's beck and call."
Ventura said he has not closed the door on Shandong Luneng forward Graziano Pelle either, despite sending the player home after he refused to shake his hand after being substituted in the 1-1 draw with Spain earlier this month.
"I hope what was said about Pelle and his gesture does not get misunderstood," Ventura said. "A lot worse has been seen in football, but when you are in the national team it is different. At Euro 2016, we gave the impression of being a correct, positive group of players and that gesture blemished what this team is all about.
"Otherwise, anybody would feel authorised to do the same. Pelle needs to consider things a bit. He's a good player and a well-mannered lad, and nothing is precluded, not even for Pelle."