Balotelli says Nice can be French champions

SEEKING to bounce back from tough t i mes at L iver pool a nd AC Mi la n, maverick Mario Ba lotel l i says t hat his adopted club Nice ca n l i f t t he French t it le.

Nice, who last won the Ligue 1 title in their 1950s heyday and who finished fourth last time out, are unbeaten in 11 games and top the table ahead of Monaco. They are six points clear of big spenders Paris Saint-Germain, helped by a Balotelli purple patch of seven goals in eight games.

Balotelli was asked whether Nice could hold on to their lead to grab the title from PSG and France’s other established names.

“It’s possible but it will be dif f icult. We’ve only played 11 games. But I’m here to win something so I t hink it’s possible,” t he It a l y i nter nat iona l st r i ker s a id i n a n i nter v iew w it h French cha nnel TF1’s Telefoot program broadcast yesterday.

He had a poor stint across two seasons with Liverpool and an equally disapointing second spell with AC Milan before winding up at Nice.

But the seemingly backwater move has paid dividends and the Cote d’Azur side – who won four championships in the 1950s – have taken to him as he has to them.

Nice were “a good side, even without Mario”, joked Balotelli, 26.

“I am happy, We are top of the league. But that isn’t enough for me.”

His exploits have not been enough to ea r n a n Ita ly reca l l f rom coach Giampiero Ventura, who left him off the squad for a World Cup qualif ier this month against Liechtenstein and a friendly against Germany, who he majest ic a l ly k nocked out of Eu ro 2012.

Since a poor 2014 World Cup Balotelli has not featured for the Squadra Azzurra.

Balotelli said he found the French league a tougher competition than he had imagined.

“When I arrived I thought it would be a lot easier.”

Nice were yesterday looking to add to their strong start late with a win over Caen.