I will give him another 100 chances: Mancini
5 Jan 2013 2:32 AM GMT
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini played down his row with Mario Balotelli and insists the striker still has a future with him by claiming he will give him another ‘100 chances’ at the club.
The Italian pair were pictured grappling on the training ground in an apparent bust-up on Thursday in the latest in a long line of incidents involving the controversial striker.
Mancini took exception to a bad tackle from Balotelli on team-mate Scott Sinclair during a training match but the City manager played it down on Friday.
He claimed he asked the 22-year-old striker to leave the pitch after the tackle but when he refused the pair exchanged words in a heated argument which got physical.
‘It wasn’t a bad thing like are in the paper,’ said Mancini. ‘The photo is worse than what happened. We were playing a game and Mario kicked his team-mate and I said to him: ‘Go inside, leave the pitch’. He said ‘no’, and I take his shirt, I push him off the pitch.
‘This is what really happened, no fight. There is no fight. The pictures look worse. For two seconds, yes I lose my temper. Because he didn’t want to leave the pitch.
‘I will give him another 100 chances if it possible if I think he can change. I am here for this.afp
SUPER MARIO ANTICS AT CITY
March 2011, Dart throw: Revealed in March in which the striker was said to have thrown a dart at a youth-team player several weeks earlier.
July 2011, Back Heel: During a pre-season friendly against LA Galaxy, Balotelli was substituted after he back-heeled wide when through on goal.
Nov 2011, Fire work: Emergency crews were called to the Italian’s Cheshire house when a firework was set alight in his bathroom in the early hours of the morning.
Jan 2012, School visit: Manchester Xaverian College received a New Year shock when Balotelli parked his Bentley outside the education establishment in order to make use of their toilets.
The Italian pair were pictured grappling on the training ground in an apparent bust-up on Thursday in the latest in a long line of incidents involving the controversial striker.
Mancini took exception to a bad tackle from Balotelli on team-mate Scott Sinclair during a training match but the City manager played it down on Friday.
He claimed he asked the 22-year-old striker to leave the pitch after the tackle but when he refused the pair exchanged words in a heated argument which got physical.
‘It wasn’t a bad thing like are in the paper,’ said Mancini. ‘The photo is worse than what happened. We were playing a game and Mario kicked his team-mate and I said to him: ‘Go inside, leave the pitch’. He said ‘no’, and I take his shirt, I push him off the pitch.
‘This is what really happened, no fight. There is no fight. The pictures look worse. For two seconds, yes I lose my temper. Because he didn’t want to leave the pitch.
‘I will give him another 100 chances if it possible if I think he can change. I am here for this.afp
SUPER MARIO ANTICS AT CITY
March 2011, Dart throw: Revealed in March in which the striker was said to have thrown a dart at a youth-team player several weeks earlier.
July 2011, Back Heel: During a pre-season friendly against LA Galaxy, Balotelli was substituted after he back-heeled wide when through on goal.
Nov 2011, Fire work: Emergency crews were called to the Italian’s Cheshire house when a firework was set alight in his bathroom in the early hours of the morning.
Jan 2012, School visit: Manchester Xaverian College received a New Year shock when Balotelli parked his Bentley outside the education establishment in order to make use of their toilets.
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