One thing that f**ked me off completely about the Euros, in every game, by every team was the diving / simulation that went on. Jeez if its bad enough that people are diving for 'fouls' it took on a new level when players quite obviously having lost control of the ball just flopped to the ground in order to regain possession by way of free kick. At international level it should be a prerequisite that players can run with the ball and keep it under control despite 'pressure' from opponents. Second thing - could Balotelli become the new Gazza i.e. potential the best player in The World, to fook it up ceause he wasn't guided properly? Gazza had The World at his feet when he had the choice of Man Utd or Spurs. Bright lights won. Wonder if Super Mario will go the same way?
Balotelli might become a cult figure here- something people can talk about down the pub, but he'll never be the greatest player in the world, nor the next Gazza. He isn't even the best player in the Italian National team.
If Balotelli had the mentality of somebody like Messi he would be sensational, and what he's achieved already with the titles in Serie A and the match-winning performance in the Euro-semis is more than most top pros will ever achieve in their careers. I compared him already to somebody like Cantona who never achieved anything like Balotelli for his national team and arguably only achieved for Man Utd- Balotelli is a great already even if something bad happens to him which is more than likely given his behaviour. I found it a bit rich watching the Beeb coverage of the final the other day and Hansen refusing to change his tune about him despite the fact that Italy would not be in the final if not for Balotellis goals.
Hansen is firmly against any jimmy big bollox in his teams.. that said Balotelli was well behaved and showed some maturty for Italy during this comp
The problem with Ballotelli is that at some point he's going to do something extremely stupid! EG: Gazza in the FA cup final v Forest! As a player he's good but you see it every game & off the pitch he never makes news for good things!
Er, I was impressed with the LACK of diving/simulation in these Euros...and when there was any, the Ref's totally ignored it. Overall it was probably the best refereeing and behaviour by the players I can ever remember in any tournament, and I hope that attitude carries on into our leagues... Balotelli will either become one of the worlds greatest players or he will implode. Gazza didnt screw it up cos he wasn't guided properly, he screwed it up cos he was a daft twat, noone else was to blame for him acting like a ****. Still, at least people can pretend he was better than he was.
The only way Mario Ballotelli will improve in his mentallity is by staying under Mancini @ Man City. He has the ability but needs to handle other aspects of him game and life off the pitch. As for diving IF the player on the ground is still breathing then play should continue. Fed up of the fakers already.
Totally agree with the first paragraph, but Gazza did get some help in screwing up his career by two ****ers called Chris Evans and Danny Baker who obviously thought it would boost their showbiz popularity by being seen pi55ed with an England hero every night. Oh and I don't remember hearing much about them sticking by him throughout his subsequent troubles.
Some of the players still tried it on, but unless I'm imagining it now...the refs just ignored it totally, I found it really refreshing...the majority of the players seemed to wise up and either stop it or do it half heartedly Didn't anyone else see it like that?
Ah yeah sure, that was shocking, and I vaguely recall one other game I thought the ref was ****e in but overall I thought they ignored the diving and simulation pretty well in the other games.
Tbf i thought the refs where good at making people get up for diving and everything. On Balotelli he isn't anywhere near as good as Cantona and never will be, Cassano made him what he was in those finals and Cassano was sensational.
