体坛英语新闻：Best chance for Balotelli, says Allegri

MILAN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri said Mario Balotelli is "an excellent professional" and is having the best chance to show his qualities.

The former Manchester City striker arrived in January and bagged another brace in Sundays's 2-0 win over Palermo.

"I think this is an important opportunity for Balotelli, as for the first time he is playing as a protagonist in a team full of youngsters," said Allegri.

"He is relaxed and an excellent professional. He has been on the European stage for seven or eight years, but this is his best chance so far to really show his qualities.

"We struggled a little today as we had some residual fatigue from Tuesday's Champions League game with Barcelona, but we should've been more confident and better at keeping the ball.

"Stephan El Shaarawy is having an extraordinary season that nobody expected, so it's only normal he will have a slight dip in form. He played well today and almost scored a goal, but at that moment I needed fresh legs. He needs to relax, as he is doing so well and his performances help the team just as much as goals."

After crashing out of the Champions League, Milan are still just two points adrift of Napoli in second place.