Blast of the mohican
BALO-HELLI ... boss Mancini goes for striker Mario
Pictures: EAMONN & JAMES CLARKE
Last Updated: 04th January 2013
PERHAPS the pressure is getting too much to bear.
Roberto Mancini is beset by problems on all sides and yesterday he finally erupted.
The Manchester City boss is out of Europe and seven points behind Manchester United in the title race.
And the Italian is also operating under the twin shadows of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, who could both be looking for new clubs this summer.
Now he will have some awkward explaining to do if Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi-based owners take exception to the latest unsavoury headlines surrounding yesterday’s violent bust-up with bad-boy Mario Balotelli.
Those who saw his violent confrontation with his fellow-Italian said the other City players watched with “shock and embarrassment” as they went for each other’s throats.
BLOOPER MARIO ... training ground tackle leaves Scott Sinclair in heap
The furious encounter between the pair exploded when Mancini charged towards Balotelli after he had fouled team-mate Scott Sinclair.
One eye-witness said: “Mancini completely lost it with Balotelli, although to be honest the foul was fairly innocuous and Sinclair didn’t seem too upset.
“Mancini was playing in the same 10-a-side training match, and he had been throwing his weight about a bit, making sure everyone knew he was the boss.
“And when Balotelli and Sinclair tangled he came running over, pushed Mario away and gave him a real mouthful.
“Balotelli seemed to be surprised at first, but when Mancini kept pushing and yelling he started screaming back into Manicini’s face.
FURY ... Mancini grabs Balo as players look shocked
“The next thing we knew they were pushing each other and grabbing each other by the neck.
“It looked like Mancini was trying to either throw Balotelli off the pitch, or trip him over and throw him to the ground. But Balotelli is a big lad and he was having none of it.
“The other City coaches and trainers came racing over to separate them, and the rest of the players stood around open-mouthed.
“They were obviously shocked and embarrassed by what had happened. They didn’t know where to look.
“When they were dragged apart Mancini kept shouting and Mario went back over to the rest of the players and starting kicking a ball round.
ITALIAN GOB ... manager lets rip at player in their native tongue
“That was the end of the session, but Mancini kept shouting at Mario and he had another go back as they left the pitch. It was pretty heated stuff.”
This was not Balotelli’s first training-ground flare-up. He and Micah Richards were involved in a similar toe-to-toe confrontation in December 2011.
And the hot-headed £22million striker was lucky to escape punishment for throwing a dart at a youth team player earlier that year. He missed the lad, and dismissed it as a ‘prank’.
Balotelli has also attracted unwanted headlines for breaking a curfew, setting his house on fire while fooling around with fireworks and for an appalling disciplinary record.
He was suspended for violent conduct after stamping on Scott Parker and has been sent off four times since being bought from Inter Milan in 2010.
SORE POINT ... manager Mancini clutches neck of Balotelli's bib
The deal saw former Inter boss Mancini arrange a reunion after he gave Balotelli, 22, his big break at the San Siro.
Mancini likes to portray himself as a father figure to Balotelli.
But the Etihad chief has admitted he has occasionally been tempted to move him on — although has always ended up shrugging off the player’s excesses.
Mancini said: “The problems are because of his age. He can make some mistakes. He’s Mario. He’s crazy — but I love him because he’s a good guy.”
There was not much love in evidence this time.
But City sources quickly dismissed suggestions this might prove to be the final straw in their tempestuous relationship.
The feeling Mancini was at least as much to blame for this incident as his player means it will almost certainly be glossed over.
HANDBAGS ... players and staff separate angry pair
The manager is due to hold his regular Press conference this morning and it will be fascinating to see how he handles the whole affair.
Another astonished onlooker confirmed that most of the aggression came from Mancini.
The second witness said: “Mancini ran at him — he was furious. He grabbed hold of him and appeared to try to hurl him on the floor.
“But it looked like Mario was too strong and he couldn’t get him down.
“Then all the coaches ran in to separate them, but Mancini kept trying to break free and have a go at him again.”
Another factor suggesting Balotelli is unlikely to carry the can is fact he is a personal favourite of City’s owner, Sheikh Mansour.
Earlier this week SunSport exclusively revealed the Abu Dhabi billionaire believes the striker’s antics add a different dimension to the club.
It would be interesting to know his views on Mancini’s role in this latest headline-grabbing incident.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4725431/Mario-Balotelli-row-Is-Roberto-Mancini-ready-to-crack.html#ixzz2H06IVduB
