Balotelli dropped for Roma game for argument with coach
Brescia coach Fabio Grosso has urged Mario Balotelli to "help himself" as the striker was dropped for Sunday's match against Roma.
Published : Nov 23, 2019 19:35 IST
Mario Balotelli has been left out of Brescia's squad for Sunday's Serie A meeting with Roma after the former Manchester City striker was involved in a training-ground argument with coach Fabio Grosso.
Balotelli signed for his hometown club Brescia - which sits at the bottom of Serie A - in August and has scored two goals in seven league appearances so far.
However, he reportedly stormed out of a Brescia training session on Thursday following a disagreement with Grosso, who hinted in a news conference on Saturday the ex-Inter forward would not be included in his squad.
"What happened with Balotelli is something I'd already experienced in the past. I demand great intensity and a high tempo in my training sessions. When that doesn't happen, I prefer to change and make the session tougher," Grosso said.
"He didn't do that and was set to one side. I don't want to minimise the incident, nor blow it out of proportion. It will be crucial for me to use everyone at my disposal, but I can only do so much. At a certain point, he has to help himself.
"You will know of disciplinary action, but I prefer to communicate these things to the players first myself. It'll be for the good of the team. I don't deny what I said about Mario, because I still really want to use his characteristics for the side."
Balotelli's omission was subsequently confirmed as Brescia confirmed its 20-man squad for Sunday's trip to Stadio Olimpico.