Genoa director Marco Ottolini has conceded that Mario Balotelli is not a suitable fit for manager Patrick Vieira’s tactical system.
The striker has made only six Serie A appearances this season, highlighting the disconnect between his playing style and the coach’s demands. Softfootball reports that the club is now actively looking for a solution to resolve the situation.
Ottolini explained that while they had the option to terminate Balotelli’s contract in December, they chose to give him more time to adapt. However, it has become clear that other players are better suited to the team’s approach.
The director emphasized that the decision was based on footballing reasons rather than personal issues with the forward.
He clarified the club’s position by stating:
With Mario, we have spoken clearly. He is training, he is on the squad list, and there are still some transfer markets open—we will see what can be done. We could have activated the clause at the end of December, but we didn’t do it because it’s not our style, and we wanted to give each other more time.
The club remains committed to finding a mutually beneficial outcome, acknowledging Balotelli’s desire to continue playing. With transfer windows still active, Genoa is exploring options to facilitate a move that aligns with both the player’s ambitions and the team’s strategic direction.
