There is much about Mario Balotelli which has been difficult to follow.
Yesterday that included his Twitter account, with the AC Milan striker posting a message in English which stated simply: "This is the end."
That was at first taken as evidence of the Italian's desire to leave San Siro in the next transfer window, but was later translated as a loss of faith in head coach Massimiliano Allegri. Milan are 13th in Serie A, 20 points off the lead and face Celtic in the Champions League tomorrow just two points ahead in Group H.
Those statistics are writ large for Milan but have not been so easy to comprehend for a club with such a celebrated reputation. A trip to Glasgow has become disconcerting for a team which has lost its way - drawing in the league against Genoa yesterday. Balotelli missed a penalty with the score at 1-1.
It extended a run of seven matches without a victory, with Milan having stumbled into Champions League action against Celtic. The outcome will weigh heavily since it is capable of dragging either club down in the group, with one more fixture left to come. The Parkhead side are bottom for the moment but would ease ahead of Milan with a win,
"We have to give something extra at the moment," said Allegri after the draw with Genoa. "We're suffering a lot as a result of our league position and we have to get out of it soon. We're all disappointed. There's a lot of respect towards the fans and we definitely have to get out of this situation. The fans have to stay behind us and together we'll get out of this situation."
Supporters were more clearly behind the doors at San Siro yesterday, the Italian club's ultras storming the entrances to the stadium and preventing both the Milan players and Genoa supporters from leaving. They were only appeased after both Kaka and Christian Abbiati acted as emissaries from the squad and made promises to do better. Beating Celtic tomorrow would be a start.
Milan will have to make do without six players, though, with Philippe Mexes and Sulley Muntari adding to an injury list which also comprises Stephan El Shaarawy, Mattia De Sciglio, Cristian Zaccardo and goalkeeper Marco Amelia. "Muntari has a thigh strain and Mexes went to hospital for tests," said Adriano Galliani, the club's general manager. "We can call it an eye infection. I don't think he'll be going to Glasgow."
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