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Mancini orders Balotelli to behave

Comment: 0 February 16th, 2012 by: admin

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has told striker Mario Balotelli to observe proper behavior for the rest of the season.

City will face Portuguese outfit Porto in the Europa League on Friday and the match will be officiated by Cuneyt Cakir, who handed Balotelli his red card against Dynamo Kiev in their Europa tie in March of last year.

The Italian manager told the 21 year old, who returns from his latest ban, that he needs him in the crucial stages of the 2011-12 campaign.

“I spoke to Mario two weeks ago. I said ‘Please, we have 13 games to play in the Premier League plus Europa League matches’”, said Mancini.

“I said to him ‘Try to have good behaviour on the pitch and think only about football.’ Mario is an important player for us, he has good quality.’

“I think if his head will be OK in the next two months, he will be an important player for us.”

The Italian striker has already claimed 17 yellow cards and three reds in 49 games for City. He also served his four-match ban for his stomp on Tottenham’s Scott Parker.

With Balotelli’s return, Mancini believes there is no rush to have estranged striker Carlos Tevez back in the line-up.

“Now we’ll have three strikers. I think that’s a good thing for me and for this game. It’s difficult to find a good definition for him.

“We know Mario is a fantastic player. He’s young, sometimes he will make some mistakes.

“But for this reason if he can keep his composure for the next few months, he will be an important player for us, if we want to get to the final of the Europa League or win the Premier League, it’s important to have all players.

“We need all the players ready and available for all games. Mario is one of them.”

With their clash against Porto, Mancini believes that their opponents pose a tough test.

“I think they are one of the best teams in Europe. And this is one of the big games at this stage.

“They are a top team who have played in the Champions League. I’ve met Porto many times in Europe and it’s very difficult to play here.

“At home they are very strong and last year won the title, so it will be very hard.”

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