Mario Balotelli’s failed trick-shot sparked a heated row with manager Roberto Mancini that took the luster off Manchester City’s penalty shootout win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.
The Italian striker with a hot-headed reputation scored the lone goal in regulation for City, but he was relegated to the showers by the time the teams went to a penalty shootout to decide the exhibition match.
Mancini was incensed after Balotelli broke in on the Galaxy goal in the 28th minute and then turned backwards and tried to back-heel the ball into the net. His shot went wide and Balotelli was pulled from the game as soon as his replacement could warm up.
Photo: Reuters
“I think for the player, this can be a lesson,” Mancini said. “This can’t happen on a strong team. I hope he understands that he needs to have good behavior.”
Goalkeeper Joe Hart scored the game-winning penalty as City beat the Galaxy 7-6 in the shootout.
Balotelli, who has been criticized before for his unprofessional antics, was replaced by James Milner.
Once on the sidelines, Mancini and Balotelli got into it. Mancini appeared to motion for Balotelli to head to the changing room, but Balotelli extended his arms, said something and then sat down on the bench where he slammed a cup to the turf and took off his jersey. He stayed in the changing room for the second half.
Mancini told reporters after the match that the situation was under control and there was no need to take it any further.
The temperamental Balotelli has a checkered past.
Three months ago he got into a row with Manchester United players at the end of a FA Cup semi-final match. Balotelli had to be dragged away from the scrum that ensued after the Italian’s spirited victory celebration angered the United players.
In March, Balotelli was investigated after a claim he threw a dart at some youth team players at City’s training facility.
Three months earlier, Mancini had to break up a fight between Balotelli and Jerome Boateng after Balotelli reacted angrily to a challenge by his teammate during a training session.
The win over the Galaxy was the third straight for Manchester City on their tour. It went to a shootout because of the regulations of the World Football Challenge tournament, which the match was a part of.
Hart stopped an A.J. DeLaGarza penalty kick, then stepped up to take his turn in the shootout after the teams had battled to a 1-1 draw.
Galaxy’s Mike Magee scored in the 53rd minute to tie it 1-1, hitting a perfectly placed shot from outside the box that Hart could not get to.
“They’re a good team, so we knew it would be a good test for us, but that’s what you want for pre-season, a good test, good fitness,” Milner said.
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