It was a disaster for soccer in Italy when the national team missed out on the last World Cup.

Manuel Locatelli is finally living up to his promise as Italy's next great midfielder.

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020 filer, Brescia's Mario Balotelli reacts during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Brescia and Udinese at the Mario Rigamonti stadium in Brescia, Italy. The former Italy striker was reportedly fired by his hometown club for failing to report for training as the Italian soccer season prepares to resume from a three-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic. The former Italy striker was reportedly fired by his hometown club for failing to report to training as the Italian soccer league prepares to resume from a three-month break amid the coronavirus pandemic. While Balotelli reportedly excused himself from training by presenting a doctors note saying he needed to take a week off for stomach troubles, the club had already had enough of him. In the meantime, it seems almost certain that Balotelli wont be suiting up when Brescia resumes playing on June 22 at Fiorentina.

Mario Balotelli was subjected to racist abuse in a game at Verona on Sunday. (CNN) - Italian football club Hellas Verona has been given a one-match partial stadium closure following racist abuse aimed at Brescia striker Mario Balotelli. The incident is the latest in a series of events that have marred Italian football. Verona club president Setti said in a statement that he apologized to Balotelli "in case someone might have said something to him. The Italian football federation didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment about the weekend's events.