Mario Balotelli has claimed he “never bothered anyone” since he came back to Italy and said he has always given everything to help Brescia.
The forward returned to Serie A from the French Ligue 1 last summer and it has been a turbulant comeback season for the 29-year-old.
Mario Balotelli has claimed he “never bothered anyone” since he came back to Italy and said he has always given everything to help Brescia.
The forward returned to Serie A from the French Ligue 1 last summer and it has been a turbulant comeback season for the 29-year-old.
He was targeted by racist chanting at Hellas Verona, left the training ground early under coach Fabio Grosso and sent off for dissent against Cagliari – admitting to have used explicit language against a match official.
Balotelli was later banned for two-matches, but still doesn’t completely agree on the decision.
“It slipped out of my mouth,” he revealed to the Corriere dello Sport. “The referee heard me and sent me off.
“But if all the foul language on the pitch ended up being punished, the matches would end with two players on every team.
“Since I came back to Italy, I never bothered anyone, I train in a serious way. I don’t leave anything on the pitch.
“I adapt to the needs of the coach and my teammates, even if I feel like I’m playing as a midfielder in some games.”
Diego Lopez has arrived at Brescia this week, as Eugenio Corini was replaced for the second time and Brescia have appointed their third coach of the 2019-20 season.
The former Inter player was asked about his favourite players in Serie A this year and picked out Paulo Dybala from a host of great forwards, saying he is a “fan” of the Argentine.
“I like [Inter forward Romelu] Lukaku. The people who say he is not quick, they don’t understand anything,” he said. “But it’s Lautaro [Martinez] who have impressed me.”
“Another very strong player is [Gonzalo] Higuain, but if I have to pick one, I will say [Paulo] Dybala. I’m a Dybala fan, he is a crazy player.”
Balotelli has been fighting for a place in Italy CT Roberto Mancini’s squad for the Euro 2020 this summer but concedes that Ciro Immobile has “guaranteed” his place in the side through his performances this term.
“He has guaranteed his place in the European Championship and he deserves it,” Balotelli concluded.