NICE’S VALENTIN EYSSERIC has said that team-mate Mario Balotelli’s attitude is the only thing preventing him from becoming indispensable to his side.
The Italy international, who has nine Ligue 1 goals this season, was dropped to the bench for Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Saint-Etienne.
24-year-old attacking midfielder Eysseric was deployed in preference to the former Liverpool and Inter star, and was full of praise for his colleague but for one aspect of his game.
When I see him miss a shot or not scoring, he lowers his head, grumbles and doesn’t want to talk,” he said. “He goes into his corner and it’s a shame because he’s stronger than everyone, runs faster, is stronger, shoots harder. It’s a shame he’s like that and he lets his head drop.
“We know he’s had a good career and we hear a lot about him, but I don’t think he’s got a bad frame of mind. It’s true that when he misses things he shuts up too much and it becomes difficult to talk to and advise him. That’s not my role.
“He wants everything to be perfect and that’s not possible.
“It is up to him to think more collectively and work more from us. It will open up more situations and chances to score goals.”
When Balotelli signed for Nice, there were fears for his relationship with coach Lucien Favre, who is renowned for the expectation of his players to work hard at both ends of the field.
With this coach, we know we’ve no right to let our standards slip in terms of collective effort,” the former Saint-Etienne man said. “The proof is that I’ve only scored one goal but Mario has quite a lot. But today maybe the coach thinks I’m doing more than him.
“It’s surprising to see him on the bench. But that doesn’t mean Mario is not important — he’s won us many games.
He was very disappointed after the defeat in Monaco. He was annoyed not to have scored, I think.”
Nice go to Rennes on Sunday, with Balotelli, now doubtful to travel, still seeking his first away goal in Le Championnat.
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Probably about right to be fair..
So basically a description of each team in the order of how Paddy powers has them placed.
Don’t see the city thing to be honest … every year the English teams will win it according to these “power” rankings but yet… Last time they won was Chelsea ten years ago… Like Barry’s tea the English are all talk
@yoloboyz: Chelsea won in 2012. Not 2009.
@yoloboyz: Recon your right, can see Barcelona winning it again.
@Alan Brazil: I think anyone bar maybe porto has a decent chance… For me there is a group of faves (Manchester city,Liverpool, juventus, Barcelona ) then the rest with maybe Porto a bit behind the others….. Personally I just think the idea of city being favourites having failed so many times before and never having reached a final means they have no right to be the max favourite in my opinion
Wouldn’t shock me in the least bit if United ended up winning, they have a habit of drawing the weaker teams like Porto.
@Brian Connolly: Man United haven’t been in a quarter final in years to draw a weaker team?
@Brian Connolly: I think you’re mixing them up with city
@Alan Brazil: not talking about quarters, i mean in general. Best of luck to them tho, be great if ajax won
Juve to win it .