please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Balotelli proved there was no bad blood remaining between him and Mancini by racing over to his manager for a hug having netted his first league goal since February. And now his boss is expecting big things. "Mario can make a big contribution this season. I am sure of this," said Mancini. "His behaviour has been so-so. But he is a good guy. "He likes Manchester City. He likes English football. "Sometimes when he scores, he is unhappy. Today he was really happy. Today he knew he scored an important goal." It also proved Mancini correct to introduce Balotelli ahead of Carlos Tevez, who remained on the bench throughout. However, the City chief admitted a four-match European suspension that rules the striker out of Tuesday's Champions League trip to Bayern Munich played a part. "I needed a player who could also play on the right side," said Mancini. "We needed to open up the defence, plus Mario can't play against Munich on Tuesday."
Just saw that hug on MOTD. It looked like Mancini wasn't sure whether Balotelli was going to hug him or just floor him
I am now hoping he has learned his lesson and knuckles down and proves his doubters (me being his biggest) wrong, people have been telling us he has the potential to be a world class player, for me the jury is still out.
I think you have to pretty much take him as he is. I can't see him "knuckling down" in the conventional sense. Thing that struck me about his goal yesterday was the run he made to receive the ball. Most strikers would have run towards goal, but Balotelli ran away from goal and dropped outside the box to receive the ball and shoot. He seems able to think on his feet and do the unconventional.
Mario will always do what he wants to do on the pitch, he is just 1 of those players who you have to say go and do your own thing out there, but don't do anything stupid that may result in you getting a red card. he has the potential to become 1 of the worlds top players, however he has got to learn not to lose his head when things are going wrong around him.
