Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 7y

Mario Balotelli 'is ready to listen' - Nice coach Lucien Favre

Nice coach Lucien Favre says Mario Balotelli is "ready to listen" ahead of making his return to the Champions League.

Balotelli, 26, will spearhead the Nice attack against Ajax on Wednesday in the third qualifying round first leg fixture on the Cote d'Azur.

The former Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan and Liverpool striker had considered a move this summer after only signing a one-year contract upon moving to France, but opted to extend his stay at the club and is now working hard in preseason.

"He started [preseason training] a little late, but he has worked well, just like the rest of the team," Favre said.

"He is ready to listen, that's the most important thing, he's taking things in little by little and he's getting back to the level he wants to be at. He has a challenge with Nice, and after that there is also the possibility of doing something with the Italy team, which isn't nothing."

After easing him into the team and taking Balotelli out again when his form or condition required, Favre brought a career-best haul of league goals from the striker last season, and claimed the formula for his success was simple.

He said: "It's not difficult if you have respect for Mario and Mario has it for the others.

"He trains well -- you can't reproach him for that. I ask him to do more tracking back, to win back possession, but I do it without shouting."

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