Mario Balotelli challenged to 'show he's still a Serie A player' as Genoa boss Alberto Gilardino reacts to ex-Man City & Inter striker's slow start at Luigi Ferraris Stadium

The former Italy international returned to his native country after three years away as he completed his dream move back to Serie A and joined Genoa on a free transfer. Balotelli last played for Adana Demirspor in the Turkish Super Lig, but left them at the end of the 2023-24 season after spending only a year at the club.

Since joining Genoa, the former Manchester City and Inter forward has appeared in just two games as a second-half substitute and has clocked only 22 minutes on the pitch. Genoa boss Gilardino has now provided an update on Balotelli, challenging the 34-year-old to prove that he can still make a difference in top-tier Italian football.

Speaking to SportMediaset, the Genoa head coach said: "It’s normal that he has to get himself in line with the team when he joined the group, to make sure that he can fully get back to doing what he has always managed to do: Making a difference in matches, whether it’s for 15 minutes, half an hour or a whole match. It’s a challenge for us, who took him on, and for him to show that he’s still a Serie A level player and that he can make a difference."

Balotelli did get some time to get back into shape during the international break and will hope to start for his new club for the first time this season as Genoa face Cagliari in Serie A on Sunday.