Mancini backs Man City striker Balotelli despite poor form
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has publicly given his backing to striker to Mario Balotelli after the Italy international failed to fire again in his side’s 0-0 draw at West Ham on Saturday, a blank that leaves the former Inter forward without a goal in 11 Premier League games.
Balotelli has struggled for form so far this season, failing to gain a regular place in the side due to the competition of Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez and has only scored twice, once in the League Cup and once, a last-minute penalty, in the Champions League.
However, according to the Manchester Evening News, the 22-year-old continues to retain his manager’s backing.
“There is a problem with him not scoring,” admitted Mancini. “It’s probably because he tries too hard when he has a chance. Sometimes when you have a chance you don’t concentrate on scoring, when you get those chances you can make mistakes.
“He put on a good performance but from what we created on Saturday we should score - and that goes for Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero, for everyone.”
Mancini did admit however that Balotelli’s tendency for the spectacular, which was exhibited at Upton Park on Saturday with a number of long-range acrobatic efforts, could be working against him.
“Sometimes Mario needs to try to do the easy thing. He sometimes wants to score an incredible goal but when you don’t score for a long time you need to keep it simple, stay on the goalkeeper often and not stay too far out, as he did at West Ham.”
Following that goalless draw, City remain unbeaten in the defence of their Premier League title and lie third in the table, just two points behind league leaders Manchester United and a point behind Chelsea after 10 games played.
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