With Mario Balotelli returning to the Rossoneri for the second time in his career, it spells arguably a ‘last chance saloon’ scenario for the Italian. Can the 25-year-old recoup the form that made him Italy’s brightest youngster, or will he fall back in the dark depths of dire times?
But first, a win! Oh such a glorious sight for the Milanisti to gaze upon. They sure breathed a huge sigh of relief following the 2-1 victory over Empoli on Saturday. Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano turned their zero shots on target away to Fiorentina last weekend into goals, with the former netting with his first ever on target shot at the Stadio Meazza.
Sinisa Mihajlovic responded how all great coaches would do with a win, saying they need to do better. There was no sugar coating during his press conference, stating ‘we didn’t deserve victory, nothing has changed’ and that ‘the only reason we won was thanks to the two strikers who got goals out of nowhere’.
It was good to see the new boss of Milan remain on his pedestal, continuing as the resolute coach the Rossoneri need in order to progress.
He was wrong about one thing though. Things had changed. SuperMario was back.
It all came a little out of the blue. We all knew Balotelli was heading out of Liverpool and Merseyside quicker than you can say ‘Zlatan Ibrahimovic’.
But that was the thing.
The constant chasing of another former man in the shape of the aforementioned Swede, alongside the signings of Bacca and Adriano meant one thing. Mario wasn’t heading to Milan. Surely not.
Italy’s brightest youngster has endured an odd career ever since his move to Manchester City. It never truly worked out with the Citizens – he ended up with Milan then Liverpool – now residing back in the red and black.
But enough about his troubled and turbulent time of recent years, for one thing Mario must do is look to the future. Be the player you always knew you could become, not the one making headlines.
Balo made his decision to return to Milan for a reason. A new beginning . . . again.
His father’s passing away in early July of this year sparked a change of heart from the 25-year-old. There were no fireworks going on during that unfortunate time, but a light bulb had pinged above his head like a cartoon character. As he donned his new boots which read, ‘Always with my dad’, it was clear. Mario wanted to change his ways.
He joins a side that clearly want him to stick to such promises he set himself. No silly haircuts and clothing join the likes of no nightclubs and no social media outbursts.
Of course Balotelli’s own motives are of his own knowledge, but it is clear he understands what Mihajlovic and co. want. For Sinisa was his assistant coach at Inter during the first couple of seasons that Balo represented the Nerazzurri.
The Serbian knows him well, unlike previous managers Massimiliano Allegri and Brendan Rodgers.
His arrival means there’s no easy way out for Mario. The Coach knows him well enough to expect certain things from the Italian, and will take not a shred of messing about from his new acquisition. Balotelli’s knowledge of Milan as well means he ‘should’ slot in a lot easier than any other possible suitor.
If anything, the choice of club was perfect for him .
It will also allow a good rotational system to come into play, taking the weight off of Bacca and Adriano. So far in the opening two matches, the former Sevilla striker has played 168 minutes out of 180, whilst the Brazilian has remained on the field for every single moment.
Mario remained an unused substitute versus Empoli, but with the Derby della Madonnina just two weeks away following the international break, it screams a return for SuperMario into gracing the fields of L’Italia yet again.
The stage is set, but will be the hero or the villain?
