'Milan given up on Balotelli'

By Football Italia staff

Giancarlo Marocchi, the pundit who Mario Balotelli insulted on live television, said Milan have “given up” on him.

The striker went on Sky Sport Italia after last night’s 2-0 defeat to Roma and hit back at criticism from the studio, claiming pundit Marocchi “understands nothing about football” for saying he doesn’t move off the ball enough.

Today Marocchi spoke to Radio Deejay about the incident and how it could affect SuperMario’s career.

“We often try to talk about football, watch and comment on the games. But when a performance is bad, it’s bad, so the questions have to be asked.

“Balotelli is a big problem for Milan and will be for the Nazionale too. I would’ve liked him to reply by telling me he does move off the ball, but instead he chose an insult. Those close to him ought to show Balotelli how other forwards really move. He should have the humility to do that.

“He thinks that with four goals he has suddenly resolved all his problems. I am above all sorry for his teammates. Balotelli played badly, that’s the issue here. He has to understand he’s got to do more for his teammates.”

Former midfielder Marocchi won the 1996 Champions League with Juventus, a Scudetto, Italian Super Cup, two UEFA Cups and two Coppa Italia trophies.

“I think about the Milan midfield, who worked to recover the ball from Daniele De Rossi and Radja Nainggolan, then passed to Balotelli and he lost it straight away, either with a bad first touch or because he slipped. I’d go to a madhouse!”

It has also been suggested the club are to blame for sending Balotelli to speak with the media when he was clearly irritable, having been substituted and bickered with Coach Clarence Seedorf during the game.

“Milan have given up on trying to deal with Balotelli. Like this the only one benefiting from the situation is Balotelli’s bank account,” concluded Marocchi.

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