Nice treated to the full Mario Balotelli experience in win over Lorient

Balotelli scored the game-winning goal vs. Lorient but was then promptly sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession.

This is the problem with Mario Balotelli. You know he has the talent that can win you games, but he can’t help putting himself in harmful situations. And so it proved Sunday, as he scored a magnificent winning goal after 86 minutes for Ligue 1 high-fliers Nice, which beat Lorient 2-1.

The first Mario moment involved him taking off his shirt to celebrate his curling finish, which resulted in a needless yellow card. Three minutes later, with injury time beckoning, Balotelli overreacted to a challenge on him and was, harshly, shown a second yellow card. It didn't affect this result, but Balotelli will now be suspended for Nice’s game against Lyon–which itself served notice of title credentials by beating rival Saint-Etienne.

Watch: Mario Balotelli scores again for Nice, in Europa League loss

All of this may be moot if PSG’s form–it beat Bordeaux 2-0 with one of the goals coming via a back-heel from in-form Edinson Cavani–continues.

But simply put, if Nice wants to contend for a Champions League place, then it will need Balotelli available to play. He's proved invaluable with six goals in five matches at the club.