In football, there are often cases when a manager prefers one player in his team and, if there is a possibility, he signs him when he goes to another club. Or there are situations when a manager and a player who like working together are incidentally re-united in another club. But when it comes to players and managers disliking each other, the Patrick Vieira – Mario Balotelli story is like no other. These two men met in Genoa for the fourth time during their careers as both players and manager (Vieira). They were first teammates at Inter Milan and later at Manchester City. Years later, their paths crossed again in Nice during Vieira’s early days as a coach. And in the latest episode, they met in Genoa.He just arrived and he’s already regretting it: Balotelli reunites with his ‘favorite’ coach VieiraAlberto Gilardino insisted that Genoa directors bring Balotelli, but he was sacked shortly afterwards and Vieira took over, the same manager because of whom Balotelli left Nica (which he admitted). Another clash was inevitable. The former Italian international player made just six appearances since Vieira came, and they all came from the bench.“When he arrived, he called and asked how I was, about the team, it seemed like he had good intentions, but then he put me on for only a few minutes the first couple of games. So I went to him, asking if there were problems. I wasn’t asking to play 90 minutes, but he was using me for 2 or 4 minutes at a time. Then he took me to Lecce and I stayed on the bench, against Milan there was a free kick at the 86th minute and he didn’t call me. He assured there were no problems, but preferred to put on players who run. Look it’s natural Andrea Pinamonti starts, he works hard for the defence, but it’s not right that I play 2 minutes. I am sure that I can solve some games. I think the problem was that he just didn’t like me, it wasn’t about football” started Balotelli his rant against Vieira for Centrocampo podcast.Por que siempre a mi?While previously coaching Balotelli, former Arsenal captain said that philosophy he wanted to establish, which are teamwork and a strong work ethic were hard to reconcile with a player like Mario. But the former Inter striker just thinks he has some personal issues with him.“The club didn’t have the balls to say anything. I always looked for a real reason behind this, I wrote him a long message one day, I’ll publish it eventually. He never gave me an answer, nor even looked me in the eye, so I found myself forced to train alone. The club said Vieira was afraid I wouldn’t accept to have little playing time, which is rubbish. Just admit I get on your tits! We had two discussions, he kept saying I would create problems, but when have I ever really done that? Everyone loves me in the locker room, I have no problems with anyone. I played for 4 minutes against Napoli and nearly scored a goal. It felt like Vieira was almost afraid of me, that if I scored a goal, he’d have to play me. He wanted to be the savior of Genoa, it irked him that the journalists would always ask about me. I felt really let down, in every respect. And yet when we played together, I never had any problems with Vieira. I played regularly at Nice, occasionally he’d take me off and say I needed to run more, but I scored a load of goals, why change everything now?” explained Balotelli.##NAJAVA_MECA_9000760##
