Aubameyang backs Balotelli to reach 20 goals

Borussia Dortmund attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has backed Mario Balotelli to score 20 goals or more for Nice this season.

The Italy international has flourished at the Ligue 1 side after an underwhelming spell with Liverpool and has already netted six goals in five appearances in 2016-17.

Aubameyang – who enjoyed a successful spell in Ligue 1 before making the move to the Bundesliga in July 2013 – is impressed with Balotelli’s start to life at Nice and is confident he will keep scoring if he manages to stay clear of any distractions off the pitch.

“Can Balotelli score 20 goals this season? Yes, I think he can do it,” Aubameyang told Onze Mondial.

“But it all depends on himself. If he remains focused on his game all season, I am sure he can reach that figure.”

Balotelli was shown a red card in Nice’s 2-1 win over Lorient at the weekend, but is unlikely to serve a suspension for his dismissal after referee Olivier Thual admitted he made an error.