The entry into the final against the Neapolitans (among the Marassi chants of incitement) confirms that the number 45 is slowly finding himself. The rossoblù are aiming for it, no release on December 31st
Journalist
December 22 – 09:34 – GENOVA
Everything is still in… Balo, but last night at Ferraris, fifty-four days after his return to Italy, Supermario gave his first real sign of authentic awakening. Balotelli is back, for real, with that double scoring opportunity created at the end of the match lost against Napoli which gives the exact measure of the determination (and the newfound condition) with which the attacker got back into the game against Genoa. “Balo on fire”, the chant that the fans dedicated to him at the end of the match, with enthralling enthusiasm – for him and the other rossoblùs – in no way the result of the bitter result on the pitch.
The route
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When the Grifone (and Gilardino) bet on him, in the darkest moment of this start of the championship for the rossoblù, many looked grim. Is it possible that a club in those days still closely linked to the Americans, with ownership almost in default, had chosen him to relaunch itself after the less than happy experiences at Sion and in Turkey? A gamble, according to many, but not for the club, nor for Mario. Who battled for a long time in the summer with the ghosts of his recent past, children of his journey at Adana Demirspor with some light, but also many shadows, and to erase that capricious image of himself and of a character built to be over the top . Balotelli has changed, thirty-four years have brought him a wisdom that not even he knew. And this is the reason why even the change of technical leadership, to him who had said yes to Genoa also convinced by the presence of his ex-teammate Gilardino, quickly metabolised the changing of the guard with a coach like Vieira, who fishing back into the memory not even too far away he had in fact not really been a friend of his during the tormented period at Nice.
Growing
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Six appearances since he arrived in Genoa, all as a substitute: read with the numbers, his balance sheet would appear to be in the red. Eighty-seven minutes in total, including extra time. In detail: nine at Parma's debut, it was November 4th. Followed by 26' with Como, 6' with Cagliari, 18' in Udine, 17' with Torino, 11' last night against Napoli, in the match in which more than all the others he showed signs of being back. Between the acrimony of the judgments of those who now saw him as a great setting star and the memory of those who preferred to keep the memory of the best days of his career, Genoa entered. Regardless of the fact that Mario had played his last real match last May, and then continued to train in Brescia all summer with a personal trainer. Genoa has put on the table a contract worth 400 thousand euros until June, with bonuses linked to the number of goals scored. And also a clause, valid for both parties, with the possibility of dissolving the bond by December 31st, in the event that the marriage was not (but perhaps we should say had not been) a happy one. Because Genoa and Balotelli will move forward together. Mario wanted Genoa to return to being a normal player and not a phenomenon to be analyzed. Genoa gave him what he asked for, waited for him (and is still waiting for him) and supported him by taking from him what his path to recovering his condition (and not only) could grant him. The bet is not yet won, but the path is clear. It's true that the competition is increasing now, because if Pinamonti remains untouchable, Vitinha is growing, Ekuban returned yesterday, Ekhator will perhaps be seen again next Saturday in the list of players called up for Empoli. But the impression is that the best can and must still come.
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Seize the moment
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Very normal Balo seemed like heresy, given the precedents of Supermario's life on fire, wherever he has been. No Genoa, it's another story. Because as his old teacher Prandelli recalled, this is truly the last call for him. And if the athlete, as it seems, can finally take over the character, then Balotelli's conversion can truly be said to be over.
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