Besiktas coach Sergen Yalcin said Mario Balotelli ‘proved his level’ with a controversial goal celebration while Vincenzo Montella tried to defend the Italian striker.
Balotelli scored one goal in Adana Demirspor’s 3-3 draw against Besiktas last night.
The former Inter, Milan, Liverpool and Manchester City striker celebrated by pointing his head with index fingers and screaming towards Besiktas’ coach Yalcin.
Eight years ago, Yalcin had hit out at Balotelli, saying the striker ‘had no brain’, so Balotelli took his revenge after the goal.
It’s fair to say the Italian striker’s celebration hasn’t helped Yalcin change his mind about the 31-year-old.
Video: Balotelli gets his revenge against Besiktas coach with controversial celebration
“Balotelli celebrated directly in front of me. It’s the first time I see something similar,” the Besiktas coach said at a post-match press conference.
“He’s not my interlocutor, I don’t understand why he did it. I don’t know if he behaved like that because he couldn’t come to us last season, but he showed his level. It’s a shame for him, it’s a bad move.”
Balotelli’s coach Vincenzo Montella also believes his striker’s gesture was not nice, but still tried to defend the 31-year-old.
“At that moment, talking to Balotelli, I told him to focus only on the game. His move was not correct, but there are some statements made before, which were not as correct either,” the former Fiorentina and Milan coach said.
Balotelli joined Adana Demirspor on a free transfer in the summer and has scored two goals in six appearances so far.
The former Inter and Milan striker spent last season in Serie B at Monza, scoring six goals in 14 appearances.
Montella is being very diplomatic. Either his Turkish is limited or he doesn’t want to ruffle feathers. What he’s trying to say is Mario can be an idiot, but Yalcin is eating his words.
Isn’t Yalcin the dude who always looked like he’d had a family portion of kebabs every time he played? Looked a bit like a Turkish umpa lumpa
Balotelli is an idiot, but still he had every right to take his revenge. I’d do the same if someone talks about me, too.
Forza Mario
I don’t care how he celebrated. I don’t care if he offended the world. As long as he stays there and away from gli Azzurri I’m happy.