Atalanta” data-scaytid=”1″>Atalanta Coach Stefano Colantuono believes it is time that Mario Balotelli was ‘left alone’ following director general Pierpaolo Marino's anecdote.

Atalanta Coach Stefano Colantuono believes it is time that Mario Balotelli was ‘left alone’ following director general Pierpaolo Marino's anecdote.

Marino commented this week that the Orobici had trialled a young Balotelli in their youth ranks, before a negative reaction from the current Liverpool striker towards a referee convinced them not to sign him.

It comes in the week that Balotelli has returned to prominence in the media, for his inclusion in Antonio Conte’s Italy squad in spite of poor form at Anfield.

Whilst at the same club as Marino, Atalanta’s Coach suggests now is the time to back off the 24-year-old.

“I know nothing about [Marino’s story], but we talk about Balotelli too much. We should leave him in peace,” Colantuono told Sky Sport Italia.

“Whatever he does has always resonated greatly and given us reasons to talk about him, but he's a constantly repeated phrase, so the less said about him the better.

“He's an important player for Italy.”

The trainer then touched on Atalanta's profligate start to the season, his faith in German Denis to regain his goalscoring prowess, and the fortunes of his side's next opponents Roma.

“In our last few games, we've only scored a few goals. We can do a lot better, like we've shown in recent years," he added.

“Ten points and four goals in 11 games? It's true that we have the worst attack, but we also have the fifth or sixth best defence, and this has allowed us to do well.

“We're a team who shoot a lot and has great width. Drame and Zappacosta are among the players who cross the most in the League, but we have a low rate of efficiency and, therefore, end product.

‘”Denis has done well, he had a good game against Sassuolo” data-scaytid=”39″>Sassuolo. I'll give him the time to find his feet and score like he always has.

“I only saw Roma in big trouble against Bayern and in the first half at Napoli. Apart from that, they've always been on the ball and are in great shape.

“Can they close the gap on Juve? I think so, if they can keep up until the end [of the campaign].”

Byrob

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