The manager faces a crisis in attack but he does not feel that the striker can be trusted in the last eight games and said that his recent antics in Milan show his immaturity.
The Italian boss, who lost top scorer Sergio Aguero to a foot injury this week, is facing a striking 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 or not the fiery 21-year-old can be trusted in such an important time for the title race.
"I don’t trust Mario, but he is like this. I don’t think anyone can trust Mario," the City manager told reporters.
"He could easily score two goals tomorrow or in the next game at Arsenal. But we can’t trust him."
The 47-year-old has no doubts over the former Inter man’s ability but questioned his recent form after he took the striker off at half-time in City’s 2-1 home win against Chelsea on March 21.
"He is a top player, he can do everything in a game," Mancini enthused. "He can score three goals, but he can also take a red card.
"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 Mancini played down the argument.
He explained: “I spoke with him during training because I explained some situation on the pitch, this is all.”
But there were further problems for the Italian coach this week when Balotelli returned to Milan during his two days off.
The Sicily-born star unexpectedly burst into an Inter press conference to greet new boss Andrea Stramaccioni, who has replaced Claudio Ranieri at San Siro, and promptly left after a matter of seconds.
Mancini, however, hopes that the £20 million man can spend his time more wisely and act maturely.
He added: "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.
"I hope for him he grows out of it because he needs to improve in this."
 |
| Manchester City : Roberto Mancini the Man City boss admits that he cannot trust Balotelli |
And the burden could be left upon Balotelli, although Mancini is unsure whether or not the fiery 21-year-old can be trusted in such an important time for the title race.
"I don’t trust Mario, but he is like this. I don’t think anyone can trust Mario," the City manager told reporters.
"He could easily score two goals tomorrow or in the next game at Arsenal. But we can’t trust him."
The 47-year-old has no doubts over the former Inter man’s ability but questioned his recent form after he took the striker off at half-time in City’s 2-1 home win against Chelsea on March 21.
"He is a top player, he can do everything in a game," Mancini enthused. "He can score three goals, but he can also take a red card.
"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 Mancini played down the argument.
He explained: “I spoke with him during training because I explained some situation on the pitch, this is all.”
But there were further problems for the Italian coach this week when Balotelli returned to Milan during his two days off.
The Sicily-born star unexpectedly burst into an Inter press conference to greet new boss Andrea Stramaccioni, who has replaced Claudio Ranieri at San Siro, and promptly left after a matter of seconds.
Mancini, however, hopes that the £20 million man can spend his time more wisely and act maturely.
He added: "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.
"I hope for him he grows out of it because he needs to improve in this."
0 comments:
Post a Comment