Balotelli - What was he thinking?

[Lancet Fluke]

That's your truth and I respect it.

Cheers mate. I appreciate that.

I thought both men acted the fools yesterday. It was particularly saddening because it was the most high profile of the US friendlies and really it should've been an opportunity for us to further the City brand through footballing means.

Having said that, it isn't the end of the world and hopefully it'll be the last time that we have to see the manager rowing with players on the touchline.

I doubt it, he's clearly a fiery character and no doubt he will do it again. Not saying it is ideal but it is just part of his personality and to an extent as long as he gets the job done satisfactorily overall, despite his failings, then in my opinion that is fine. After all pretty much everyone (including successful managers) have their faults. Incidentally (and I know you don't agree that you are lacking objectivity) having originally loved Keegan, I very much fell out of love with him when he didn't sort out his differences with Berkovic and what happened subsequently. In fact I'd go as far as saying I loathed the guy. For some reason for me, it was the worst period ever in terms of supporting City. I still went home and away every week (at that point) but my dislike of him definitely rivalled my love of the club and ate away at me constantly. To this day, I don't know why it had that effect on me, whether I was completely lacking objectivity or whether I was right (whatever right means). I didn't enjoy it though, I know that much.

 

[remember arthur mann]

He simply thought he was offside.

 

[Cry Me A Weaver]

Mario was stupid to try back heel. He thought play was over due to hearing a whistle ( this is clear ). Hope he learns to just shoot anyway in future and explain to ref afterwards. Doing nothing would have been better as it now looks like he was being disrespectful and ref could have carded him for playing on anyway.

Roberto though needs to learn to deal with him (and others) behind closed doors. Too many people desperate for this type of incident to let it pass. Commentators were loving it and no doubt the English press will too.

 

[Damocles]

More than anything because the media get hold of it and make it out to be a huge thing and then we get another 20 page pointless thread on the evil media

Haha, you might have a point there!

 

[Shands]

Ooooooooh Balloteli,
He's a striker, He's good at darts.
An allergy to grass, yet when he plays he's fuckin class.
He drives around Moss Side with a wallet full of cash
Comes out of the casino and gives beggars out a stash
If you're the playground bully then he'll come and kick your ass
Drives a Lamborginhi round until he has a crash
Jumps in the Ferrari, counts the tickets on the dash
Bought a motorbike - banned, never took it for a thrash
Spends his days at Knowsley giving hugs to the giraffe's
Can't work out a bib but his hats the height of fash
No dogs at the the parade so skipped then end of season bash
Try’s back heels in a friendly and gets subbed for the panache
Winked at Ferdinand, or was it just a stray eyelash
Mancini gets frustrated and will give him a tounge lash
Sulks a bit, says sorry but then continues unabashed
All of the above are why we love or hate the lad
Ooooooh Ballotelli

 

[superwatsonwatson]

Mario only has to wink and people get upset.

 

[Soulboy]

The most embarrassing thing about it all was surely the absolute shite skills that Balotelli showed!

If you're going to be a bit flash, at least be able to back it up!

I'd have him in training all this week practising his footwork...

 

[BoyBlue_1985]

Ooooooooh Balloteli,
He's a striker, He's good at darts.
An allergy to grass, yet when he plays he's fuckin class.
He drives around Moss Side with a wallet full of cash
Comes out of the casino and gives beggars out a stash
If you're the playground bully then he'll come and kick your ass
Drives a Lamborginhi round until he has a crash
Jumps in the Ferrari, counts the tickets on the dash
Bought a motorbike - banned, never took it for a thrash
Spends his days at Knowsley giving hugs to the giraffe's
Can't work out a bib but his hats the height of fash
No dogs at the the parade so skipped then end of season bash
Try’s back heels in a friendly and gets subbed for the panache
Winked at Ferdinand, or was it just a stray eyelash
Mancini gets frustrated and will give him a tounge lash
Sulks a bit, says sorry but then continues unabashed
All of the above are why we love or hate the lad
Ooooooh Ballotelli

yeah thats gonna be hard to remember after a few sherbets

 

[hgblue]

I can't stand Balotelli and can't wait until he leaves our club. However, he 100% thought he was offside there.

not what Mancini said about the incident:

"I hope this is a lesson for him," said City boss Roberto Mancini.

"If you are serious, you can play 90 minutes. If not, you can come and sit by me on the bench."

"In football you always need to be professional, always serious and in this moment he wasn't professional," added Mancini.

"He needs to understand his behaviour has to be good in every game - not just in a final or a semi-final but every game.

"He knows he made a mistake. Football should always be serious and if you have a chance to score, you should score.

"Mario is young, I want to help him and that is the end of it. To take him off after 30 minutes is enough punishment. It won't have been easy for him but it has to be a lesson."

When asked what Balotelli said to him as they exchanged words on the side of the pitch, Mancini said: "It was in Italian. In English I would find it difficult to give you the translation. But Mario is streetwise, he knows he was not offside."

I'm in 100% agreement with the manager. Can't understand anyone defending it tbh. I can only imagine it's because it was 'good old Mario'.

 

[BoyBlue_1985]

I can't stand Balotelli and can't wait until he leaves our club. However, he 100% thought he was offside there.

not what Mancini said about the incident:

"I hope this is a lesson for him," said City boss Roberto Mancini.

"If you are serious, you can play 90 minutes. If not, you can come and sit by me on the bench."

"In football you always need to be professional, always serious and in this moment he wasn't professional," added Mancini.

"He needs to understand his behaviour has to be good in every game - not just in a final or a semi-final but every game.

"He knows he made a mistake. Football should always be serious and if you have a chance to score, you should score.

"Mario is young, I want to help him and that is the end of it. To take him off after 30 minutes is enough punishment. It won't have been easy for him but it has to be a lesson."

When asked what Balotelli said to him as they exchanged words on the side of the pitch, Mancini said: "It was in Italian. In English I would find it difficult to give you the translation. But Mario is streetwise, he knows he was not offside."

I'm in 100% agreement with the manager. Can't understand anyone defending it tbh. I can only imagine it's because it was 'good old Mario'.

maybe because it really doesnt matter that much. He tried a party trick, mugged himself off and then got mugged off by Mancini. End of story