There is no point in hiding, because many, especially in recent years, even if only out of mere curiosity, have wondered who was stronger between Ciro Immobile and Mario Balotelli. A comparison that arises above all from what was done, or, depending on your point of view, not done by the two in the national team shirt. Therefore, all that remains is to try to answer, going into detail and the specifics of the careers of the two bombers.
Ciro Immobile, the goal king who is too often criticized
Born in 1990, he took his first steps in the youth team Sorrento. And it is, scoring a brace against the Allievi del Torino, that strikes Juventus observers. And so, at just 17 years old, he was purchased by the Bianconeri, who added him to the Primavera team. With the Piedmontese he won two Viareggio tournaments, showing off all his qualities and his coolness in front of goal. On 14 March 2009, at just 19 years of age, he even made his debut in Serie A. Subsequently, however, the round of loans began, with Ciro cutting his teeth in Serie B, between Siena, Grosseto and above all Pescara. In fact, with the Abruzzo team, under the guidance of Zeman, and in the company of players of the caliber of Insigne and Verratti, he won the Serie B championship, achieving well 28 goals in the championship, which earned him the title of top scorer.
With this business card, he returns to Serie A, with the shirt of Genoa. With the Ligurians, however, he is unable to make much of an impact, scoring only 5 goals in the season. His redemption is called Torino. In fact, with the Granata he became Serie A’s top scorer in 2014 with 22 goals. Numbers that earn him the call of Borussia Dortmund. In Germany, however, Immobile is unable to settle in, also paying for a less than positive season for the yellow and blacks. He scored 10 goals, including four in the Champions League. It doesn’t get much better the following year Seville, so much so that, in January 2016, he returned to Turin, where he found himself again. The rest is recent history and is his adventure Laziowhich began in the summer of 2017. An adventure made of goals and records, with the attacker who won three top scorer titles and the Golden Boot, as well as two Super Cups and an Italian Cup. Although he became the first goalscorer in the history of Lazio and reached 200 goals in Serie A, in the last period he has been the subject of numerous criticisms due to his clearly declining performance.
Criticisms which, to be honest, arise in particular from what has beenor his performance in the national team. In fact, for many, Immobile, more than the starting striker of the European champion team in 2021, where he scored two goals, was the striker of the two missed World Cups, the first with Ventura and the second with Mancini. Yet, numbers in hand, he is the best striker still active in terms of number of goals (17). It’s right behind him Mario Balotelli, reached 14.
Mario Balotelli, a name and a regret
He made his debut at just 15 years old with the shirt of Lumezzane and, in the summer of 2006, he joined the Inter’s Spring. He immediately contributed to the victory of the championship and the Viareggio Tournament. Performances that earned him a place in the first team, complete with his debut in Serie A at 17 years old. In short, right from the start, the good Mario seems predestined. His qualities were showcased with a brace against arch-rivals Juventus in the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup. So, a star seems to have been born. It’s a shame that his indisputable talent is accompanied, from the very first months, by gods character limits that are all too clear and evident. First Mancini and then Mourinho try to smooth over all this, with Balotelli still being the protagonist on the pitch in the many Nerazzurri triumphs on the national stage. In short, many ups and downs, with an inevitable farewell arriving in 2010. However, he finished with 28 goals and six trophies. No small numbers for his young age.
Arrive at Manchester City, where, among other things, he meets Roberto Mancini. And, once again, Mario alternates flashes of pure, crystalline talent with total indiscipline. However, his peak in England came in 2011/2012, with 13 goals and the signature in the championship triumph, with a decisive goal in the last Premier League match. The call of Italy, however, was too strong for him, so much so that, in January 2013, he arrived at Milan. And, with the Rossoneri, he returned as a great protagonist, with 12 goals in 13 Serie A matches. In the following years, however, he failed to confirm himself, despite scoring 14 goals. What makes the most news, however, is once again his volatile personality. And the sale is inevitable. The redemption, at least attempted, is still in England, but this time at Liverpool.
Con i Reds However, he is a real disappointment, with only 16 games played and one goal. He returns to Milan, but his career seems to be in a declining phase. In France between Marseille and Nice, he returns to show flashes of genius, finding himself a little. The rest is recent history, with some good adventures Monza and Brescia, without however showing the explosiveness he had in his golden days. In 2021/2022, he finds brilliance and relationship with the goal with the shirt ofAdana Demirspor; 18 goals in 31 games. After a brief spell at Swiss side Sion (six goals in 19 appearances), he returns to the Turkish club, where he is still scoring regularly. Signs of a second youth?
As in the case of Immobile, many judgments are influenced by the national team. Mario Balotelli was great protagonist in the second place of the 2012 European Championshipswith a wonderful brace in the semi-final against Germany, but also the great absentee at the 2014 World Cup. E many, perhaps too many, only remember this last aspect. Because, as we know, certain things remain more imprinted when they are a burning and burning disappointment.
But who is stronger?
There’s no point in hiding: due to his physicality, technique, quality, talent, eye for goal, power and resistance, Mario Balotelli could have been a top striker for at least ten years, becoming an irreplaceable starter for any coach. Unfortunately, his character limitations have had a significant impact, distancing him from important football and from the national team. Immobile stands out for his ability to attack spaces and vary across the entire offensive front. However, Ciro certainly made the difference with his continuity and his always having his head above his shoulders. In reality, however, characteristics in hand, the two could also have played together. And who knows if, in that case, Italy would have had at least one more participation in the World Cup.
2024-04-28 16:00:54
#stronger #Immobile #Balotelli
