Mancini denies Balotelli bust-up

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has rebuffed reports he has had a falling out with striker Mario Balotelli.

 The 21-year-old was omitted for the dramatic 3-2 Champions League defeat against Real Madrid at Bernabeu on Tuesday night, sparking rumours of another bust-up with the manager.

 But Mancini denied those suggestions, claiming it was simply a case of rotation and that the Italy international will be fit to play against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

 "This story is totally false," Mancini told reporters on Friday.

 "Mario went in the stand only because we started to play with Carlos Tevez in attack and we couldn't have three strikers on the bench. "There has been no argument, and no row. Absolutely not."

 Meanwhile, the 47-year-old confirmed that Samir Nasri is a major doubt to face his former club, after the France midfielder was taken off during Tuesday's game with a hamstring problem.

 The France international's injury isn't as serious as first feared, but the Blues' boss admits a comeback on Sunday is very unlikely.

 "I do not think he will be ready for Sunday," Mancini said. "We will try but it is difficult. "I hope he will be OK for next week."

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Mario Balotelli Demands Paternity Test

Balotelli has issued a press release in which he claims that he has no intention of shirking his responsibilities, but is seeking a DNA test to prove that he is indeed the father.

 “Although I would have preferred not to speak about my private life in public, I feel obliged to clarify, once and for all, my relationship with Raffaella Fico,” the 21-year-old explained.

 “Our relationship ended at the start of April and since then we have not met, nor heard from one another.

 “I have not had anything to do with her life and Raffaella has not had anything to do with my life.

 “Raffaella knows well that since we parted company with one another that I had, and have, no intention of returning to her.

 “But because of what there was between us, I never wanted to talk about it, even when there were untrue things being said and written about us.

 “A few days ago I came to learn from others that Raffaella was pregnant. For this reason, I decided to contact her and only after my question was it confirmed to me that it was true. “I am very disappointed.

 I do not think it’s normal not to know anything until the fourth month [of the pregnancy].

 “I do not understand why she did not contact me immediately to tell me something of such importance.

 “I’ll assume all my responsibilities when I have the proof of my paternity.”

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Mamma Balotelli: It's very difficult to see Mario cry

Silvia Balotelli, who is the Manchester City forward's adoptive mother, also revealed that her son does not react well when treated badly, but that his performance against die Mannschaft freed him from his troubles. 

When he feels in difficulty, under attack or betrayed, Mario reacts by clamming up. 

He isolates himself from others and that's what happened before the Ireland game [when he was dropped]," she told reporters. 

We struggled to contact him and he wouldn't answer messages. 

This is why I wept with joy. "Those two goals in such a wonderful and important match liberated him, as his talent and the little genius inside came out. 

He managed to prove what he wanted to, finally. "It's very difficult to see Mario cry. The last time was perhaps because of Jose Mourinho. "It's also difficult for him to hug me like that in front of everyone. 

As with every young man, he gets embarrassed to be seen with his mother, but at that moment he was too happy. 

He whispered in my ear to give him a gift and bring his father to Kiev. I went back to Italy, but we'll both be there on Sunday," she admitted. 

 Mrs Balotelli went on to state that she was disappointed after her son got booked for taking his shirt off to celebrate scoring his second goal, and also revealed that she has called coach Prandelli to thank him for his support. 

 "He said he was fed up of everyone criticising him for not celebrating, so he decided to invent something. "My son often tells me he is 'not arrogant, but I feel I have something special within me'. That's what he says. 

Prandelli is a good man and he has taught my son many important things, so I called him to say thank you," she concluded.

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Mancini: Balotelli was better than Rooney

Roberto Mancini believes Italy's Mario Balotelli eclipsed Wayne Rooney during Sunday's Euro 2012 quarter-final with England.

 Rooney was a peripheral figure as Roy Hodgson's side struggled to contain Italy in Kiev, and Cesare Prandelli's outfit eventually prevailed on penalties after a 0-0 draw. 

 Mancini has hit back at those who have questioned Balotelli's part in the victory after missing a number of gilt-edged chances, saying that his City marksman outperformed Rooney. 

I think perhaps many are underestimating what (Balotelli) did," Mancini told the Corriere dello Sport. "He was always at the heart of the game, had five or six chances, and was a bit unlucky. 

But we want to compare him with Rooney, who we only noticed when it came to penalties. 'Super Mario' did much better, and he's a great striker we must support all the way." 

 The Premier League-winning manager went on to praise the play of Prandelli's side, who controlled much of the last-eight fixture on their way to a semi-final meeting with Germany. "The Azzurri dominated almost the entire match, by far and away, as if they came down from another planet," he said. 

In the second half and in extra time, they crushed England. "They took my breath away as I waited for the killer goal. That it did not come was only down to tiny details. Beyond Balotelli I saw a great Italy. 

Prandelli also made changes very well while Hodgson thought only to defend himself and had no effect. 

When (Antonio) Nocerino and (Alessandro) Diamanti came on, they gave a great boost." Italy will now compete with Germany for a place in Sunday's final.

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Mancini begs Balotelli to behave

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has pleaded with striker Mario Balotelli not to cause problems for Italy coach Cesare Prandelli. 

 The hot-headed forward is hoping to start for the Azzurri when they take on England in Sunday's Euro 2012 quarter-final, after coming off the bench to score against the Republic of Ireland on Monday in the last Group C fixture.

 Mancini said the 21-year-old is Italy's best striker, and thinks he should be in the first XI against Roy Hodgson's side, but has warned him to do as he is told by his national team coach.

 I suggest he plays as he knows, and not to be a pain in the a*** for the coach," he told The press.

 "He has to play, as no one else can give England the same problem. "Prandelli is doing terrific work but he has to rely on Mario. He is too important, you could not leave him on the bench.

 Italy qualified from Group C behind reigning champions Spain, setting up Sunday's showdown with the Three Lions, and Mancini said Balotelli has the star quality that could see the Azzurri go all the way.

 Mario is a champion and champions help you win," he added. "Italy are stronger if Balotelli plays. Look at the other evening (against Ireland). 

He came on, gave a spark to the game and scored a splendid goal. "I consider Mario to be the best Italian attacker. 

Cassano is second, Di Natale is good but he has different characteristics with respect to Balotelli.

 England's showdown against Italy kicks off on Sunday, and the winner will take on either Germany or Greece in the semi-final.

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Mario Balotelli will walk off if abused at Euro 2012

Manchester City and Italy striker Mario Balotelli has threatened to walk off the pitch if he is racially abused at Euro 2012, which kicks off next week.

Balotelli added he would "kill" anyone who dared throw a banana at him in the street.

A recent BBC Panorama programme revealed cases of racism and anti-Semitism in football grounds in host nations Poland and Ukraine

.

"If [racism] does happen I would leave the pitch and go home," said Balotelli.

"Racism is unacceptable to me, I cannot bear it. We are in 2012, it can't happen.

"If someone throws a banana at me in the street, I will go to prison because I will kill him.

"

The Panorama programme showed fans making Nazi salutes on the terraces, black players being taunted with monkey chants and a vicious assault on a group of Asian students.

Former England captain Sol Campbell advised fans not to travel, suggesting they would be risking their lives if they did so.

Ukraine's Euro 2012 director Markian Lubkivsky said Campbell's remarks were "insolent".

Former Inter Milan striker Balotelli, 21, was regularly the target of racist abuse when playing in Italy.

In an interview with France Football, Balotelli also said he believes he is a genius.

"I think I am a genius, but not a rebel," he said. "I have my life, my world. I do what I want, without annoying anyone.

"I believe I am more intelligent than the average person.

"The talent God gave me is beautiful and wonderful, but it is difficult because you are always facing other people keen to judge you.

"There are few people with such talent, so there are few able to judge what I am doing."

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