Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/453115
21 FOOTBALL MOTORSPORTS Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 28 JANUARY 2015 Mario Balotelli 'happy' at Liverpool - Raiola Mario Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola has told Sky Sports News HQ that the Italian striker is "happy at Liverpool" and gets on well with Brendan Rodgers LIVERPOOL and Balotelli have struggled to adapt to the needs of the other, but the Italy striker is happy at the club according to his agent. Mino Raiola, who also includes Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as clients, believes the Italy inter- national will return "stronger than ever". "Yes, he is happy at Liverpool," said Raiola after Balotelli was left out of the squad to face Bolton in the FA Cup at the weekend. "Nobody is happy to be left out but he reacted in a professional way." Balotelli arrived at Anfield with a tough act to follow after the pro- lific Luis Suarez scored 31 Premier League goals on the way to a tilt at the title. "They are different players," he added. "Liverpool knew that and people need to know he is not Sua- rez. Mario needs to adapt and Liver- pool need to adapt." Following the summer move from AC Milan, Balotelli is yet to register a Premier League goal and has start- ed just eight games after problems with injury and form. Raiola continued: "He was injured and moved to a big club. Mario will win this struggle and become better. It is then up to Brendan Rodgers to give him a chance." So how is his relationship with Rodgers? "They're talking and it is a good relationship," explained the agent. "Mario likes him. They do not agree on everything. It is technical rea- sons they don't agree on but Mario will strive to give the manager what he wants. This move was the right thing to do in his career. He's still one of the best in the world." Rodgers says Balotelli is a 'good boy' and will get chances to impress as he rubbished reports the striker could leave in his window. Raiola agrees, saying: "We didn't ask to leave. It is too early, with the injury, to say we leave in January. There are no big problems. He's adapting to a new style that the manager wants. We'll see in the summer." ASMK Autocross finals this Saturday SUNDAY 25th January 2015 'As- socjazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karo- zzi' organized the seventh program of the ASMK - Pasta Poiatti 2014/15 Championships at Ta Qali. Despite the overnight storm the Associa- tion made everything to continue the day's program as scheduled. But it was not the same for the Mo- tocross section. These races had to be postponed for safety reasons for another day. Meanwhile the day was not miss- ing any fun as though the track surface was excessively wet at first most drivers change racing tech- niques and adjust to the continu- ously changing track conditions. This condition leaves some driv- ers struggling to keep their vehi- cle stable on course. Despite these conditions on the day 24 drivers which were divided into 2 classes participated in the day's event. The current classes are one for Auto- cross Modified and another for the Standard class. A look at the day's events where in the Autocross Modified Class Vince Farrugia on Volkswagen Po- lo, Christian Mark Galea on his Fiat Ritmo and Lucas Pace on his Honda Civic obtain the highest score of the day during the three Heats. Though none of the competitors managed to win all the heats of the day Far- rugia, Galea and Pace secured their positions on the Class A Final race. Together with these Andrew Pisani on Vauxhall Nova, Godfrey Gauci on Ford Fiesta and Philip Grima on Ford Escort also secured their place on the six-car Start line-up. Class B finalists are Malcolm Borg on an Opel Corsa, Philip Joe Vella on his Opel Nova, Jean Paul Grech on a Peugeot 106, Jason Martin on Volkswagen Polo, Pedro Attard on his Fiat X-19 and Martin Godwin on an Opel Corsa. Unfortunately the instability of the weather persists throughout the whole day but although it did not rain during the Heats program just before the final races heav y showers poured down and made the tracks unsafe. This situation did not leave any option for the Administration of the Association except to post- pone the Race Finals A and B of the day for next Saturday 31st January 2015. These final A and B races start at 2: 00pm. Entrance to watch these race finals is for free for all. The Autocross Standard Class Deane Farrugia was seen to domi- nate the day in his class on his Citroen AX 1400cc. Farrugia was always followed by John Agius on Peugeot 206 during the three Heats. In the final race Farrugia continued his victory and was always followed by Agius. The auto racing activities of the Association are to continue on Sunday 8th February when the As- sociation will be organizing the Third Enduro event. This time this Race will be held at the quarry at Torri Falka at Zebbieh limits of Mgarr. On Saturday 7th February the Association will be organize a Dinner Presentation to honor the champions of the 2013/2014 ASMK National Championships. Together with this presentation of throfies ASMk will also be presenting trophies as well to the winners of the last two race events held at Ta Qali. This dinner-pres- entation will be held at the Hotel San Antonio in Qawra. More information can be obtained from the website w w w.asmk.org.mt