More time on the bench looms for Balotelli

Date:

spot_imgspot_img

Undated: Mario Balotelli could be facing more time on the bench judging from the comments made by AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri following their predictable 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League.

Balotelli, when not suspended, has been a regular starter since joining Milan in January but found himself shunted out of the starting line-up at the Nou Camp on Thursday as Allegri decided to start with Kaka and Robinho instead.

Allegri, once again fighting to keep his job after a dismal run of results and performances, hinted after the game that he was longing for the return of injured striker Stephan El Shaarawy and that Balotelli was struggling to keep up.

“Balotelli was a reserve at both Inter (Milan) and Manchester City, this is the first time he has been a regular first team player at a big club,” he told reporters.

“He hasn’t played very well in the last few games and has been recovering from the injury he suffered with the national team, so I preferred to start with the Kaka-Robinho combination.

“Of the 18 players we had tonight, none had El Shaarawy’s characteristics,” he added.

“Balotelli is not a problem, and he did very well when he came on at halftime. He has extraordinary qualities but he has to improve in the context of the team.

“He’s just not used to playing every three days. We need everyone, all the players are important,” Allegri said. (Reuters)

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Smriti Mandhana slams second fastest women’s ODI ton by Indian batter

New Chandigarh, Sep 17: Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana registered the second-fastest century by an Indian batter in women’s ODIs...

Prime accused in Gorakhpur NEET aspirant murder case arrested in encounter

Lucknow, Sep 17: The Gorakhpur police on Wednesday arrested Rahim Khan, the prime accused in the murder of...

ARO Narangi conducts outreach programme for AROHAN scheme students, briefs them on ‘Op Sindoor’

New Delhi, Sep 17: In a concerted effort to motivate and inform the youth about career opportunities in...

GST rate cuts to result in Rs 2 lakh crore saving for consumers: Sitharaman

Visakhapatnam, Sep 17: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the reduction in tax rates on goods...