Florence: Stephan El Shaarawy is relishing his partnership with Mario Balotelli and believes they can lead the attack for Italy and AC Milan for many years to come.
El Shaarawy, 20, and Balotelli, 22, have become symbols of Italy coach Cesare Prandelli's focus on youth. "Mario and I represent a new and young Italy," El Shaarawy said, ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Malta. "Investing in youth is the most important thing. We're doing well, but we still have margin for improvement to make Italy even stronger. I believe it is a turning point for Italian football. There are so many talented Italian footballers in the under-21 side and in Serie B and that gives us good hope for the future."
El Shaarawy has burst into the spotlight this season with 16 goals in Serie A. The goals have dried up for the youngster recently, and he has scored only once since Balotelli's arrival from Manchester City at the end of January. "I don't think Balotelli's arrival has hindered me," El Shaarawy said. "In fact it's made a lot of things easier for me. He is a great player and a good guy who is growing a lot. Playing together in Milan helps us in the national team, Mario and I complete each other. I don't feel any pressure on me. The goals will come. Prandelli and (Milan coach Massimiliano) Allegri ask me for good performances first, and then goals. I'm not worried. It's just a moment
12:57 PM, Mar 24, 2013
Rome: AC Milan recovered from a goal down to win 3-1 at 10-man Catania thanks to a second-half double from Stephan El Shaarawy and a strike by Kevin-Prince Boateng who was sent off near the end of a lively Serie A clash on Friday. The win, which was Milan's third in a row including the 3-1 defeat of Anderlecht in the Champions League earlier this month, moved them up to...
08:13 AM, Dec 01, 2012
Brussels: Philippe Mexes capped AC Milan's qualification for the next round of the Champions League with a stunning overhead volleyed goal during a 3-1 victory over Anderlecht. After Stephan El Shaarawy had given Milan a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute, the France defender put the game away with a strike which had shades of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's brilliant bicycle kick against England last week. In the 71st minute, Mexes received...
02:48 AM, Nov 22, 2012
Milan: Defending Serie A champion Juventus will be looking to cap off an impressive week with a victory over a resurgent AC Milan on Sunday. Juventus took a big step toward qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League on Tuesday with a 3-0 win over Chelsea. "I hope that the best Juve is yet to come," coach Antonio Conte said. "The satisfaction has to be an added push... 
