AC Milan defender Ignazio Abate has praised Mario Balotelli for his impact since joining the club in January.

The former Manchester City striker has scored seven goals in seven games since returning to Italy,

Abate insists that Balotelli makes the key difference and says that it is important that the team has an Italian spine.

"The president (Silvio Berlusconi) gave us Balotelli in January, he is the cherry on top of our cake," Abate told the club's official website. "He makes the team dangerous.

"Now the spine of a [lasting] team is being built and it's an Italian one that understands what it means to wear these colours."

Milan are currently third in Serie A and face fellow Champions League contenders Fiorentina next weekend.