AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli wants more protection from referees.

Balotelli struck in victory over Genoa on Friday.

"I am well, although I am still not 100 per cent after that knock to my leg," he told Milan Channel.

"I came on last night without really warming up and I got another knock, but after a massage in the locker room at half-time I recovered. I have a week to recover and think about Palermo.

"Defenders can kick me as much as they want to, but the referee has to make decisions on the field. He was pretty good to me last night, though defenders often don't get the punishment they deserve for kicking us strikers. I don't understand why he booked me after 20 seconds for a push, though."