Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivère has no regrets over their deal for Mario Balotelli.

Riviere took Balotelli off Liverpool's hands last summer, but after an impressive first-half of the season, the Italian is suddenly struggling with form and discipline.

The Nice president told Canal +: "There are periods in the life of a player. He made a very good start of the season, at the moment he is less good.

"I hope he will be back to the Mario that we knew at the beginning of the season, but overall we are very happy. He has a good frame of mind.

"We do not really regret having Mario with us."