When Patrick Vieira was named Genoa coach to replace Alberto Gilardino two months ago, it looked like the French coach and Mario Balotelli would be starting from scratch. After known frictions in the past, notably in Nice and during their shared experiences at Inter and Manchester City, the two men were committed to working together in a peaceful climate. But the old demons seem to be back.
Sunday evening, during the clash against AC Milan (0-0), Patrick Vieira decided to do without the services of Balotelli, provoking new questions. Asked about his choice, the 98 world champion said: “The stability and balance of the team are very important. I thought we didn’t need another striker. We played very well. The players work very well in training, we have a clear idea of our game. I liked our second half, with a lot of personality.”
Balotelli remains in the shadows
For Mario Balotelli, this new episode marks a hard blow. After several years away from the Italian elite, the enfant terrible of Italian football joined Genoa with the hope of relaunching his career in Serie A. But his relationship with Vieira seems to complicate his return to the forefront.
While tensions persist, it is unlikely that this volatile situation will last until the end of the season. While he struggles to maintain his position, Genoa risks not finding serenity with two such strong personalities in his locker room.
