Mario Balotelli Shows Creativity Despite AC Milan's Defeat to Atalanta

Sunday afternoon was a difficult one for AC Milan fans. After first learning of the sad news that club legend Cesare Maldini had died, they watched their team toil en route to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Atalanta.

The only bright spark came in the form of a substitute appearance from Mario Balotelli, who made a strong claim for further inclusion in the near future.

The loss was Milan’s second in four games, in which they have picked up just two points. And this dispiriting drop in form could not have come at a worse time. With seven league games left, the club is now just one point clear of Sassuolo in the race for European qualification.

After Sunday’s game, Rossoneri coach Sinisa Mihajlovic condemned his team’s performance, telling a news conference, per FourFourTwo:

"

We will now go into a training retreat until the situation improves. I warned the team that things had to go differently. We now have to look over our shoulders and we face (Juventus) next.

[…]

If after 31 rounds of the Serie A season I am still here saying the same things it means that there are weaknesses. There are clearly areas that even with training and commitment we're not able to improve.

[...]

We were lucky to take the lead but we then should have stepped things up a gear and killed off the contest. We didn't do that and it's not the first time this season.

"

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Milan’s attacking deficiencies have been on show for all to see in recent weeks. Mihajlovic has built a rugged unit, with players working hard for each other and serving his 4-4-2 system, but the football has been less than entertaining.

In possession, the Rossoneri have appeared sterile. The midfield often lacks ideas and the strikers subsequently struggle for good service. The only real chink of creative light against Atalanta came with the introduction of Balotelli on 58 minutes.

The 25-year-old has failed to assert himself upon the first-team since returning to Milan. In total, he has made just five starts in all competitions, scoring three goals in the process, and has spent the best part of four months out due to injuries.

However, against Atalanta, he showed his qualities after coming on for Luiz Adriano. He harried the opposition in the defensive phase and, when in possession, always looked to make things happen.

He held the ball up well on 67 minutes before playing Jeremy Menez through on goal with a nicely weighted through ball. He then drew a free-kick on 75 minutes before taking the set piece himself and testing the home side’s goalkeeper, Marco Sportiello, with a driven strike.

According to WhoScored.com, Balotelli had just 15 touches after coming off the substitutes’ bench but, in spite of this, he still made three key passes, more than any other Milan player bar Carlos Bacca, who equalled this tally.

OLIVIER MORIN/Getty Images

In addition to his work rate, creativity and willingness to shoot, he completed two dribbles. Only Ignazio Abate contributed more in this respect.

Essentially, inside 37 minutes of action, he did more than most of his attacking team-mates who played the full 95, including stoppage time. Given Milan’s dearth of attacking penetration, he couldn’t have made a more succinct case for starting against Juventus next Saturday.

Speaking to Sky (h/t Football Italia) recently, Mihajlovic talked of the striker’s dedication in training. “This year his behaviour has been 10 out of 10,” he confirmed. However he went on to add that Balotelli, “Has to do more on the pitch, he knows that too and we often speak about it.”

Over the course of this season, there have been ongoing concerns the mercurial forward may be too much of an individual to suit his coach’s systematised style of play. But on Sunday afternoon, he combined his attacking threat with hard work and discipline off the ball.

Overall, it was a strong all-round performance. And, given Milan are in dire need of some invention in the final third, it was enough to warrant being given further opportunities.

Prior to the Atalanta game, Balotelli made clear his desire to stay with the club. “In the last eight games, I’ll give it my all to convince Milan to buy me,” Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) reported him to have said.

Whether that ambition comes true for the striker remains yet to be seen. At the very least he deserves, and requires, more time on the pitch to continue proving himself.

His inclusion may or may not lead to improved results, but it certainly can't harm Milan's attacking chances.