Mario Balotelli explains why he chose to remain at Nice, his many derbies and the reason Coaches ought to “break my b***s.”
At the age of 27, he seems to have finally found some peace on the French Riviera, including the birth this week of his son, Lion.
His one-year contract with Nice expired over the summer, but he decided to pen a new deal with the Ligue 1 side.
“I stayed because I feel happy here, it’s that simple,” SuperMario told the Nice match programme ahead of tonight’s match with Marseille.
Mario Balotelli explains why he chose to remain at Nice, his many derbies and the reason Coaches ought to “break my b***s.”
At the age of 27, he seems to have finally found some peace on the French Riviera, including the birth this week of his son, Lion.
His one-year contract with Nice expired over the summer, but he decided to pen a new deal with the Ligue 1 side.
“I stayed because I feel happy here, it’s that simple,” SuperMario told the Nice match programme ahead of tonight’s match with Marseille.
“I am happy with my teammates, the supporters, the Coach. When I signed the first time, I didn’t know how I’d feel here. It was a surprise, but I’m happy. Plus it’s a good project.
“This summer, we all had the objective of the Champions League in our minds and we wanted to go for it, or at least qualify for the Europa League."
Nice were bumped down to the Europa League after losing the Champions League play-off with Napoli, 4-0 on aggregate.
“The President told me that (Coach Lucien Favre) pushed to keep me here. I knew that he would help me play in the best way, as he did last year.
“I’m improving physically and finding the consistency I’ve always wanted, which I often missed in recent years. You only get that when you work well in training and feel good.
“It was also important that I took part in the full pre-season training and I’ve even been working during my free days. I cannot afford to stop for too long, as I have to stay in shape and it’s not easy to get back into that routine.”
Many Coaches have tried and failed to get the best out of Balotelli, so what would he do when dealing with a player like him?
“I would try to limit my compliments. Instead, try to break his b***s, because I know when all seems calm, it’s a problem. When someone treads on my toes, then I get angry and I do more. It’s important to learn from your mistakes.”
Nice play their derby against Olympique Marseille this evening, but it’s hardly the first for him.
“I played the derby in Manchester, at Milan – which for me is the most beautiful – and Liverpool. It’s normal for the fans to see these as separate from the rest of the season, but on the pitch, we have to say it’s a game like any other.
“I’m facing some old friends, Adil Rami and Patrice Evra. I wish them the best… actually no, I don’t wish them anything, I just hope we win!”