The Dutchman believes the striker will begin hitting top form once he feels less pressure to perform for the Rossoneri
AC Milan boss Clarence Seedorf has claimed that Mario Balotelli’s form has suffered as a result of the pressure on him to perform.
The Italy international has scored 14 goals this term in 28 appearances in all competitions, but his performances have come in for criticism.
However, the Dutchman says his star striker’s sensitive nature has left him under pressure and wants the whole team to help shoulder the burden.
“Mario is actually a very nice person – sweet, very sensitive,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“He feels burdened with enormous responsibilities, which, at the end of the day, aren’t his. He should get rid of it and be released from the obligiation to represent a symbol.”
The former Netherlands international went on to say that he does not waste time considering tactics, insisting that set gameplans only exist among defending players.
“The gameplan, the numbers … people dissect it for hours,” he continued.
“You want to know the truth? In modern football, systems only exist at the back. In attack, there is total fluidity, six players moving in sync. Tactics bore me.”
Results have improved since Seedorf took over at San Siro and the former Real Madrid midfielder believes his side must rediscover their confidence.
“Milan have to find their belief in themselves. I have changed the rhythms and traditions of training. During sessions, we never dwell too much on mistakes and we show them what they have done well.”