Inter Milan coach Mourinho snubs Balotelli

Teenage forward Mario Balotelli has again been left out of Inter Milan’ squad for Sunday’s visit of Sampdoria.

Earlier this month Inter coach Jose Mourinho criticised the 18-year-old’s lack of commitment to training and a poor attitude.

Balotelli had been pushing for a transfer window loan move to get more playing time as he has been only intermittently used by Mourinho this campaign.

But the former Chelsea boss insisted the young Italy under-21 star should stay and learn how to train properly.

He also told Balotelli that he would not be considered for selection until the end of the window but put the youngster on the bench in midweek for the Coppa Italia clash against AS Roma.

Balotelli didn’t come on during the 2-1 victory and now finds himself out of the match-day squad once again, despite Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic being suspended.

Mourinho declined to expand on his reason for leaving out Balotelli, saying only: “It’s a technical choice.”

Instead, Adriano, who too has had his run-ins with Mourinho due to poor time-keeping, will lead the line.

“You can’t replace a player like Ibrahimovic. We need to play as a team, that’s the only way we’ll earn the three points,” said Mourinho.

“Adriano played well in the Coppa Italia against Roma. Before that he did well against Atalanta and Genoa.

“He can make an important contribution but he always serves the team.”

Inter need to bounce back after last weekend’s 3-1 humbling at Atalanta but Mourinho dismissed suggestions his team were struggling, a favourite theme among Italian journalists.

“Could we be doing better? We won the Italian Supercup, we’re in the second round of the Champions League, we’re in the Coppa Italia semi-finals and we’re top of the league,” he told a press conference.

“Yes, you’re right my life is a great drama. We’re top and you ask me if I’m under pressure.

“Last Sunday we played badly but that’s just one match but in the league there’s 19 teams worse than us.”