What was wrong with Balotelli in 2nd half?

[Rammy Blue]

My conclusion was that there was fuck all wrong with him, he always seems to pretend he has a twinge or knock before suddenly sprinting into action.

If anything I reckoned he just wanted to get subbed so he could get the reception from the fans that his performance warranted.

 

[moomba]

He was coasting for latter part of the game, and looked like he was troubled with a leg injury. On the ball he was good, but when he was off it he was often stood still stretching his leg. Something was wrong.

Can't say I noticed any difference between the start and the end.

FWIW, pass attempts each 15 minutes: 8, 13, 10, 6, 8, 18

 

[sincity]

Mario being Balotelli, he was probably feigning tiredness so that the opposing players marking him would have their guard down :)

 

[Marvin]

He was coasting for latter part of the game, and looked like he was troubled with a leg injury. On the ball he was good, but when he was off it he was often stood still stretching his leg. Something was wrong.

Can't say I noticed any difference between the start and the end.

FWIW, pass attempts each 15 minutes: 8, 13, 10, 6, 8, 18

He got plenty of the ball as the 2nd half wore on as Villa fell to pieces, but off the ball he was stationary and was forever stretching as if injured. And that's what worried me. We need 3 fit strikers with no Tevez

 

[stonerblue]

Marvin, you worry too much. We are top of the league

 

[TimmyP]

It all started after the Micah injury, not sure if he got a knock in the actual incident but it was from then that he looked unsure about something.

 

[hartsgloves]

It all started after the Micah injury, not sure if he got a knock in the actual incident but it was from then that he looked unsure about something.

On the telly he was inspecting the scratches on Givens stomach, presumably from his studs? If so could he have jarred his leg a little? Or was it Richards studs that made the marks?

 

[Bongo Joe]

Come on let's be honest it's Balotelli, love the guy but there was probably nothing wrong. Just before Hargreaves came on he was limping around, looking over to Mancini then once he'd made the sub he seemed fine. He can rest on Tuesday then we'll have him for next week if Mancini chooses to start him.