AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli will be given a chance to prove his worth according to the new boss and former player Filippo Inzaghi.
Inzaghi insists that the talented striker needs to win the starting job by not only making his presence felt in the penalty area but be willing to sacrifice himself for his teammates.
“I’ll forget everything I’ve heard about him, either in a good or a bad way because I want to get to know people to get the best out of them,” Inzaghi told Tuttosport.
“Balotelli is a very important player and belongs to Milan. I’ll interact with him in the way I do with other players.
“The club make the decisions but, for me, Mario is a talented guy who plays for Milan and the national team.”
Super Mario had a disappointing season in 2013/14 despite finding the net 14 times during 30 Serie A appearances with Milan, as they finished eighth thus failing to qualify for European competition.
There had been speculation linking Balotelli with a moves to English clubs Arsenal and Liverpool but it appears that Inzaghi has other ideas for the temperamental but talented striker.
“He should be a second striker because he is the first reference point along with Pazzini,” the tactician said. “I think we’ll stay that way.”
Milan are participating in the Guiness International Champions Cup during their upcoming American tour taking on the likes of Olympiacos, Manchester City and Liverpool.
