Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli faces the wrath of manager Roberto Mancini after preparing for Monday night's crucial game at Chelsea with a late night out that ended in the early hours of Sunday morning.
But Sportsmail understands that Balotelli was out until at least 12.45am in Manchester city centre after a Saturday night out with friends.
City yesterday declined to comment on the alleged incident, but did confirm that first-team players are not expected to be socialising less than 48 hours before a game.
Mancini is known to have a more relaxed attitude than some Premier League managers, but it is clear he will be unimpressed with another lapse in discipline from the controversial Balotelli.
The 21-year-old was not thought to have been drinking alcohol in the Zouk Bar and Restaurant but was described by one eye witness as behaving 'boisterously' with a group of friends.
City had their last training session before the clash in west London on Sunday morning, meaning Balotelli will not have had a full night's sleep beforehand.
Sources at the Etihad Stadium told Sportsmail that Mancini does not have a problem with players enjoying a mid-evening meal out in the run-up to a game.
However, it was also made clear that the City boss will view a night out that ends in the early hours as a step too far.
Mancini has gone to extraordinary lengths to accommodate Balotelli during the young centre forward's season-and-a-half in England.
And there have been times recently when the former Inter player appeared to be listening. But this latest episode underlines that Balotelli still refuses to take some things on board.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment