Mario Balotelli has been dropped from the Nice starting XI in recent weeks due to his lack of defensive work, Lucien Favre has revealed.
The controversial striker has looked back to his best since the start of the campaign following his arrival from Liverpool on a free transfer last summer as he’s netted 11 goals in just 18 games across all competitions this season.
However, he was reduced to a substitute’s role in Nice’s victory over Saint-Etienne in midweek and misses yesterday’s draw with Rennes through injury, but Favre has explained why the 26-year-old hasn’t been starting too many games of late.
“I don’t want to talk about Mario, because we’ve been discussing his work helping out in defence since the start of the season,” Favre said in a press conference, as reported by Football Italia.
“We take all the good things that Mario has given us so far, but what can I do? What is a Coach to do? I have to start the best possible line-up based on my ideas.
“Everyone knows this has been an issue hard-wired into his game for years and it will take him a while to adjust.
“I don’t want to hold a Press conference just to talk about Balotelli.”
Balotelli’s has found the back of the bet three times in his last six Ligue 1 appearances – including a brace in the 2-1 win over Guingamp at the end of January – meaning he;s the club’s second highest scorer behind Alassane Plea.
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