When someone mentions that there has been a player in the media spotlight for all the wrong reasons at Manchester City, most fans would present you with one name. Mario Balotelli.
But with all that has gone on with Carlos Tevez in the past weeks it seems that ‘Super Mario’ may have been given a lifeline by his Argentinean team mate.
As well all know that since joining City last summer Balotelli has had an interesting experience to life in England and with the media. Balotelli may be the only player at City to have benefited from the suspension of Tevez as for once he isn’t in the media for doing something daft or for arguing with another colleague.
Balotelli has had already made a name for himself as being one who seems to appear in the media for bizarre reasons. Acts such as collecting numerous parking tickets in Manchester or throwing Darts out of a window at reserve team players have made him become a target for scrutiny.
He has had countless arguments with Mancini whilst at City and when he was at his former club Inter Milan.
His latest occurring, only in the summer during a pre-season match with LA Galaxy when, through on goal and looking as though he was going to score ‘Super Mario’ attempted a bizarre back flick that went hopelessly wide of the goal. Mancini having experienced this before rightly acted on the matter and immediately subbed him for his outrageous attempt to appear on Soccer AM’s showboat the following week, instead it was, “Taxi for Mario”.
Despite all of Balotelli’s antics, when he is up for it he can be a quality footballer and of late there are glimpses of his quality showing through. He was the man who gave the game against Everton some life and who sent City on their way to another three points, when he came off the bench and scored a brilliantly taken curling shot.
His efforts against Everton earned him a starting role in the Blackburn game and he again showed his class with a superb performance that was rewarded with a well taken volley to score City’s second in a 0-4 away win.
It does seem that whilst Mario Balotelli isn’t in the media spotlight for all the wrong reasons he is gradually appearing in the media for all the right reasons.
For me I think this is what he needs.
With Carlos Tevez currently suspended and his future at City in doubt and with Aguero picking up a suspected groin injury in the Blackburn match. The chant of “Super Mario” will be heard a lot more around the Etihad Stadium for weeks to come.
Daniel Clark
