• Premier League

Marriage an option for Balotelli believes Mancini

ESPN staff
March 5, 2012
Roberto Mancini is keen to see Mario Balotelli establish some stability off the pitch © Getty Images
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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes that marriage 'could be' the answer to Mario Balotelli's continual disciplinary issues.

Mancini was once again left frustrated by the Italian striker's antics ahead of the weekend when Balotelli was photographed leaving a club in the early hours of Friday morning, just 36 hours ahead of City's Premier League encounter with Bolton.

Balotelli went on to score his side's second goal in their 2-0 win on Saturday, but his omission from Cesare Prandelli's Italy squad for the midweek friendly defeat to USA was another instance of the 21-year-old being warned about his conduct and attitude.

Mancini was even at something of a loss when pondering what would be the right manner in which to curb Balotelli's off-field behaviour.

"I don't know this. He only needs time because when you're young you can make some mistakes and, after that, the moment will arrive when you can understand," said Mancini.

"He needs to understand this because now he is young and when he is 25 or 26 it will be different.

"If you don't have a good private life you can't play at the top level. It's impossible that he's perfect but, after 100 times, he should understand what's happened around him.

"Mario stayed on the bench for five or six games because his behaviour wasn't good. I'm very kind with him and with other players and all of them should have good behaviour for them and for the squad."

When the suggestion of marriage was put to Mancini as a potential remedy, he replied: "Could be, could be."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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