Mario Balotelli cannot be trusted in
Manchester City’s crucial title run-in,
admitted manager Roberto Mancini.
The Italian boss, who lost top scorer
Sergio Aguero to an Achilles injury this
week, is facing a striker crisis with Edin
Dzeko only hitting the net twice in his last
17 games while Carlos Tevez is returning
to match fitness after a three-month
absence in Argentina.
And the burden could be left upon
Balotelli, although Mancini is unsure
whether the fiery 21-year-old can be
trusted in such an important time of the
title race.
“I don’t trust Mario, but he is like this. I don’t
think anyone can trust Mario,” he said.
“He could easily score two goals tomorrow or in
the next game at Arsenal. But we can’t trust
him.”
The 47-year-old, however, has no doubts over
the former Inter Milan’s ability but questioned
his recent form after he took the striker off at
half-time in City’s home win against Chelsea.
“He is a top player, he can do everything in a
game. He can score three goals, but he can also
take a red card,” Mancini said.
“It’s his job, he needs to work, he needs to rest,
but he is young. I just hope he can score five or
six important goals in the last eight games.
“I was disappointed with his performance
against Chelsea, but not against Stoke.”
The pair were pictured earlier in the week
having a disagreement, but the former
Sampdoria man played down the argument.
“I spoke with him during training because I
explained some situation on the pitch, this is
all,” he said.
But there were further problems for Mancini this
week when Balotelli returned back to Milan
during his two days off.
The Sicily-born star unexpectedly burst into an
Inter Milan press conference to greet new boss
Andrea Stramaccioni, who has replaced Claudio
Ranieri, and promptly left after a matter of
seconds.
Mancini, however, hopes that the 20-million-
pound star can spend his time more wisely and
act maturely.
“I can’t take him and put him in his house for
two days! Probably the moment will arrive when
he understands what he should do when he has
two days off,” he said.
“I hope for him he grows out of it because he
needs to improve in this.”
Mancini: I do not trust Balotelli
