Milanwon’t appeal Balotelli’s three-match suspension
After being out-possessedssessed for the first time in more thanan five years in the 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, Barcaca looked more like their old selves with 68% of the ball as theypulled Sociedad to pieces in the first period.
Goals from Neymar, Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets put them 3-0 up at the break, and Marc Bartra rounded off the scoring for the hosts after Alberto de la Bella had pulled a goal back for Sociedad.
“I am happy with everything that we saw. We want to have variation in our play, a change of pace and vertical attacks and it was all there, more in the first-half than in the second.
“However, we maintained our pressing for the whole match and that is sensational news for us.”
In accordance with his policy of rotating and resting his stars when possible, Martino withdrew both Messi and Neymar in the final quarter and the Argentine insisted that it is his job to protect Messi, even if his compatriot never wants to come off.
“He never wants to leave the field but I have to look after him. He needs to be in the right condition for the business end of the season.
“I have spoken with him and he never wants to come off because Leo always wants to play and finish the games. But if I change him it is so he can accumulate rest, I will not change him in a tight game.”
Defeat extended Sociedad’s winless streak to five games in all competitions and Busquets believes their more open style actually aided Barca to find their rhythm.
“It is obvious that some opponents will let you play a little more than others,” the midfielder told reporters.
“Sociedad had a great campaign last season and qualified for the Champions League, but we played very well in the first-half.”
The Spanish international was delighted to open his goalscoring account for the season and admitted his left-footed strike from 20 yards midway through the first-half may even be the best goal he has ever scored.
“It could be (my best goal), it was a very pretty goal from outside the area with my weaker foot. I am happy because it helped the team to win.” — AFP MILAN: ACMilan will not appeal striker Mario Balotelli’s three-match ban.
On Monday, the Serie A club said theywould appeal both Balotelli’s ban for insulting a referee and the decision to close a section of the stadium for a match after racist chanting.
However, after receiving official documents pertaining to the decisions, the club announced on Tuesday that they would only appeal against the closure of their stadium.
“Mario is no longer a child, he is 23 years old andhe has to change,” Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said. “He is a potential champion but he has to stop certain attitudes towards referees.
“I believe Mario has enough good sense and capacity to understand that it’s an important year and that he is in a situation inwhichhe cannot make a mistake.
“Until now Mario has always behaved well. Sunday hemade a mistake, I hope that will serve as a lesson to him. I believe I can give him a hand, but he needs to help himself too.”
Balotelli, who missed a penalty and scored in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Napoli, was given a second booking after the finalwhistle for his protests. The Italy striker automatically received a onematch ban for that red card and was suspended for a further two matches the following day.
He will miss the games against Bologna, Sampdoria and Juventus.
TURIN: Juventus coach Antonio Conte has warned his players that they must remain on the bench after being substituted or face a month’s suspension.
On Tuesday, Conte says “unless a player goes off on a stretcher or because of an injury ... he must remain on the bench until the end of the match. If not he’ll be fined and be out of the squad for a month.”
Conte says Andrea Pirlo will not face punishment as this has just come into effect and so the playmaker “has not broken any rules.”
Pirlo was substituted in the 66th minute of Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona and walked straight off downthetunnel, bypassingthebench. — AP