Written off by many, Balotelli now returning to top form

Mario Balotelli's return to form at Nice owes much to the astute guidance and firm belief of coach Lucien Favre.

When Favre signed the Italian forward on a free transfer from Liverpool last season, some observers ridiculed his chances of success after Balotelli had endured two poor campaigns.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher derided the move, saying on Twitter that paying nothing was "over the odds" for a player carrying such a troublesome reputation.

But Balotelli is a player transformed, sharp and hungry for goals. The temperamental Italian, renowned for his antics on and off the field, now appears fully focused on his career.

Thanks to his goals, Nice has overcome a terrible start to the season and is up to sixth place ahead of Sunday's home game against Saint-Etienne.

Chasing defenders and harrying midfielders? Who would have thought it of Balotelli? Definitely not Carragher.

Balotelli has scored 12 league goals this season and is performing in big games, having netted both in a 2-2 draw at defending champion Monaco on Tuesday. He also grabbed two in a 4-0 home win against Monaco earlier in the season.

Balotelli has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, including five in seven Europa League games.

It is his best total since 2013-14, when he also bagged 18 for AC Milan. He joined Liverpool the following season before returning to Milan on loan.

Today Mainz-VfB Stuttgart B. M’gladbach-Augsburg Freiburg-RB Leipzig Hoffenheim-B. Leverkusen Wolfsburg-E. Frankfurt Hamburg-Cologne Tomorrow Bay. Munich-W. Bremen Schalke 04-Hannover

SPAIN

La Liga

Yesterday Getafe-Ath. Bilbao ............................. 2-2 Today Espanyol-Sevilla Atlético Madrid-Girona Villarreal-Levante Las Palmas-Valencia Tomorrow Alaves-Leganes Real Madrid-Dep. La Coruna Real Sociedad-Celta Vigo Real Betis-Barcelona