Balotelli’s back: Mad Mario gives Milan hope despite derby defeat as he comes off bench to frighten Inter
Substitute gives fans cause for optimism that striker has changed his ways - even if some will feel they've seen false dawns before
Mario Balotelli was only on the pitch for half an hour in Sunday’s derby but his performance on his second debut for AC Milan was enough to suggest that he can turn over a new leaf following his unhappy spell at Liverpool.
His burly presence immediately unsettled the Internazionale defence as he cajoled his team mates, provoked his opponents and twice came close to equalising from long-range.
Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has praised Balotelli’s dedication in training and, although supporters may feel they have heard it before, the maverick forward looked sharper than at any point during his season with Liverpool.
Within minutes of coming on in Milan’s 1-0 defeat, he provoked combustible Inter midfielder Felipe Melo into picking up the yellow card that the Brazilian had been threatening to receive all evening.
Shortly after that, "Supermario" thumped the foot of the post with a long range shot, then produced a booming free kick which forced Samir Handanovic to make a superb save.