Spanish Press Mocks Liverpool Star Mario Balotelli Ahead of Real Madrid Clash

The Spanish press has mocked Liverpool star Mario Balotelli ahead of the Champions League game between Real Madrid and Brendan Rodgers' side on Wednesday 22 October.

The Italian international striker is yet to score a Premier League goal at Liverpool in six appearances since his £16m summer move from Milan – with his only goal came in during their 2-1 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League clash on 16 September.

Balotelli had another frustrating game on Sunday as, despite his side's 3-2 victory over QPR, he once again was erratic up-front.

The former Manchester City star ruined a number of opportunities at Loftus Road but the very worst came in the first half, when the Italian international wasted an incredible chance by hitting the ball over the bar with an open goal gaping.

With Liverpool set to host the Champions League winners on Wednesday, Spanish press have reacted with happiness to the "incredible" miss by the striker who is expected intimidate the Real Madrid defenders.

Marca calls him "Malotelli" rather than Balotelli, making a pun with the Italian's name as in Spanish "Malo" means bad.

The Spanish newspaper added: "Balotelli showed his most apathetic version. He had chances to score but in the clearest he almost sent the ball out of Loftus Road."

While Diario AS added: "Balotelli made the failure of the season against QPR."

"He will not arrive to the Real Madrid game very happy. He missed a very clear chance in the game against QPR and he is the source of derision in England."

However, after the game Rodgers backed his pupil, claiming people should quit on making comparisons between the Italian and former hero Luis Suarez.

"The most important thing to me is his work rate. He's working really hard. It'll drop for him."

"He's seen as a direct replacement to Luis (Suarez), I've said before, Luis is irreplaceable, a real world-class talent. That's not what's being asked of Mario. He's a great boy, I've enjoyed working with him. He wants to be better. He's a completely different player to Luis."