Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has told Liverpool fans not to blame Mario Balotelli for their recent problems, and said that the club has issues more ‘complex’.
The Reds have struggled this season to re-find the form that saw them push Manchester City for the Premier League title and striker Mario Balotelli has been at the forefront of fans and media frustrations.
However, Italian coach Ancelotti believes Balotelli is far to easy a scapegoat and that the club has far more important issues to deal with.
“We speak about Mario so much – too much,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Balotelli is a quality player who has found himself in a team that have lost Suarez and must therefore find different solutions.
“Liverpool’s problem is not only Balotelli. It’s a complex question. Sure, he must help the team to rediscover the good form of last season, but you cannot pin all of the blame for some results on Mario.”
Balotelli was heavily criticised by ex-Liverpool players for swapping shirts with Madrid defender Pepe when the two club’s met two weeks ago.
“It’s such a common gesture,” the former AC Milan boss argued. “I wouldn’t send one of my players home if he swapped shirts.”