Mario Balotelli: Man City will give striker another chance
Last updated on .From the section Football
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says he is willing to give Mario Balotelli another chance but the striker needs to "deserve it".
Balotelli this week dropped tribunal action against City, who had given him a two-week fine for missing 12 games last season because of suspensions.
When asked if Balotelli would be given another opportunity, Mancini said: "Sure. I am his manager and, like the other players, if he deserves another chance I'll give him another chance. But Mario now needs to deserve this."
The hearing between the player and his representatives and the Premier League champions had been due to take place on Wednesday, but the issue was resolved following "amicable" talks on Tuesday night.
And Mancini believes the Italy international, 22, who will miss Saturday's match against Reading through illness, made the correct decision not to pursue his action against the club.
"This is an old situation and it is normal when someone does a mistake he should take his responsibilities and Mario did this. It's normal," added the 48-year-old manager.
"He [should] respect himself, not me, because it's important for him to respect himself, very important."
City began the disciplinary process after Balotelli was sent off against Arsenal in April 2012.
In total, he received nine yellow cards and three reds - one of them retrospective - during the season.
Last Saturday, Balotelli was left out of the squad that defeated Newcastle 3-1 at St James' Park.
After the match, Mancini revealed the striker was "not in good form" and that was the only reason he had been excluded.
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Has great potential, no doubt about that. Will he ever fulfill that potential though. Not so far, and patience is running out with him.
A lot more trouble than he is worth.
Cantona had one incident of petulance and many example of genius - the absolute opposite of Balotelli who's a liability to MCFC not an asset!
Balotelli does offer something different to just running.
He offers not running at all.
You really are deluded and so wrong. If he was white and British would you still support him and his petulant behaviour. Get it into your head he is critisized for being a petulant spoilt brat and for no other reason. If Mourhino can't control him and got rid of him is he racist too also the Italy team manager dropped him because of his attitude is he a racist as well get real
He knew what to expect before he bought him and he still goes on about him.
rooney plays well 90% of the time mario plays well 1% of the time i.e ive watched 100 games with him involved the germany game in euro 2012 was the only time ive seen him play well = 1%... :( silly Alan.
'Mancini has disciplined Balotelli. End of story'
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You get everyone elses posts moderated you then post the above. You have nothing to add but you are going to police everybody else. Its no more fun reading endless 'this comment has been removed' posts then the posts you have deemed complaint worthy.
Grow up please.
He is a spolit petulant brat, and of no use to a team unless he sheds the giant chips on his shoulders. .
You seem to be the only person concerned with Balotelli's colour or nationality which means you have NO argument. The fact he is a petulent clown is the issue not anything else.The others you mention have been castigated every bit as much (and they deserved it). Balotelli will be the end of Mancicni's career at city It's a pity his loyalty isn't recipricated. He should just go