Nice manager Lucien Favre has backed Mario Balotelli to reestablish himself as one of Europe’s finest strikers, but insists there is plenty of more work to do for the forward.
The 26-year-old joined the Ligue 1 side in the summer on a permanent deal from Liverpool after struggling for the past two seasons with the Reds and Serie A outfit AC Milan.
Many felt his move to France was simply due to a lack of other options, but the Italian striker has hit the ground running and made it four goals in two league games on Wednesday night.
The former Inter Milan striker, who netted twice on his Ligue 1 debut before missing the game after that, first scored after a good ball from Younes Belhanda allowed Balotelli to fire into the bottom corner.
His second of the game came after an assist from Ricardo Pereira split Monaco’s defence to wrap up a 4-0 win and Favre was full of praise for his summer acquisition after the match.
“The goal for 2-0 is very important. Psychologically, it really gives confidence. We know we have the margin,” Favre said at his press conference.
“With Mario, we know there is still a lot of work in the movement to play with the team.
“His goal for 2-0, the angle was hard, the goalkeeper is good. He must continue like this.
“He becomes aware that he will return to the top level if he is professional. After difficult years for him, the recovery will be the key to return to the top.
“Gradually, we will try to help him become stronger. Four goals in the first two Ligue 1 matches? No, I wasn’t expecting that.”
Balotelli – who managed just one league goal during the 2014/15 season for Liverpool – has already outscored his former teammates on Merseyside with four across all competitions.
Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are tied on three each for Liverpool, with both of them grabbing two apiece in the league and one in the EFL Cup.
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