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Why always Mario? What we learned in Europe this weekend

The Italian striker was back in the thick of the action in Ligue 1 on Sunday, while there is a Jurgen Klopp-like revolution taking place in England's second tier.

Surprise table-topper OGC Nice has attracted numerous curious observers so far this season thanks to the presence of a certain Italian No. 9 on France’s south coast, and he again provided compelling viewing Sunday.

Mario Balotelli scored his fifth Ligue 1 goal of the season – and a special goal at that – against Lorient to move Nice back on top of the French top flight. Not only did Balotelli provide the fireworks with an 86th-minute winner but he was also at the center of things in injury time, earning a red card following a clash with Lorient defender Steven Moreira.