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Dante says Balotelli 'does a lot for the team'

Eric Gaiilard / Reuters

A week after Nice attacking midfielder Valentin Eysseric admitted teammate Mario Balotelli is an emotionally driven competitor who can be a challenge to play alongside, centre-back Dante voiced his support for the embattled Italian striker.

Dante - who like Balotelli, joined the Cote d'Azur side in the summer looking to revive a once-celebrated career that's since stumbled - added that Eysseric's comments have been misinterpreted.

Related: 'Grumbling' Balotelli blasted by Nice teammate

"That was a bit of a misunderstanding, or at least a wrong appreciation of Esseyric's words," Dante told Sport360, courtesy of ESPN FC. "Balotelli is part of the collective and does a lot for the team.

"It is not a question of if Nice play better with or without Balotelli. Rather, it's clear that he weighs in a positive way on the team."

After a red-hot start to his maiden campaign with Nice - during which the Palermo-born forward scored seven times in seven matches - Balotelli has just one goal since the winter break. As with previous spells at Manchester City, AC Milan, and Liverpool, that drop in form has coincided with references to the 26-year-old's character flaws.

Whether or not Eysseric's intention was to slag his Les Aiglons mate, talk of Balotelli's attitude has unsurprisingly supplanted talk of his play amid a career-reviving season.

Dante is having none of it.

"He is a very dedicated and focused player, despite what the media may say or write. He is trying to get rid of that negative image," the hulking Brazilian centre-half added. "Balotelli is a good player and a good person. He has scored nine goals so far this season and contributes a great deal to the team."

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