MX23RW : Saturday, October 5 01:04:27| >> :60:547:547:

Marcello Lippi: 'Mario Balotelli's AC Milan success depends on him'

Lippi urges Balotelli focus
© AP Photos
Marcello Lippi says that only Mario Balotelli can make a difference for himself and fulfil his "great potential".

Former Italy coach Marcello Lippi has urged Mario Balotelli to concentrate more on his football than on off-pitch issues.

The 22-year-old Italian striker joined AC Milan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day after two-and-a-half years with the reigning Premier League champions.

"He is a player with great potential, talent and quality," Lippi told BBC Sport. "He needs to think more about football and less about things outside football because he can really do very well.

"If I had remained as Italy coach, I would definitely have included him in my plans to rebuild the squad.

"Milan is an important team, a young team and he has always wanted to play for Milan. It all depends on him and only him."

Balotelli scored twice on his debut for Milan on Sunday, helping them win 2-1 against Udinese at the San Siro.

ID:67597: cacheID:67597:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2010:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
New AC Milan signing Mario Balotelli warms up prior to his side's match with Udinese on February 3, 2013
Read Next:
Galliani hails Balotelli
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa6411129313
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs6312125710
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
11Bournemouth622289-18
12Brentford6213810-27
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd621358-37
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Ipswich TownIpswich6042510-54
16Everton6114715-84
17Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
18Crystal Palace603359-43
19Southampton6015312-91
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!