• Premier League

City fans should welcome back Tevez - Balotelli

ESPNsoccernet staff
March 10, 2012
Carlos Tevez is back for Man City reserves © PA Photos
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Mario Balotelli has called on Manchester City fans to welcome back Carlos Tevez as the former skipper is eased back into first-team action.

Tevez, who went AWOL in his homeland after he refused to warm-up in a Champions League game in Munich, scored for the City reserve team against Bolton on Tuesday. The match was Tevez's second on-field appearance since returning to England last month, and Balotelli believes the club's supporters should forgive the Argentine for his self-imposed five-month absence.

"I think supporters have to be like they were before," Balotelli said. "If they make pressure on Carlos, they make pressure to all the team, so they should do nothing.

"I think everyone can make a mistake. Carlos is part of the team. He's just a part of the team, so everybody loves him."

Meanwhile, as league-leading City prepare to take on Swansea on Sunday, Roberto Mancini has targeted 99 points to end the club's 44-year championship drought.

Balotelli has caused his fair share of controversy for the manager this term, but the 21-year-old dismissed the media's interest in his private life, insisting Mancini's influence is the only matter of importance.

"I don't like when people talk about my business with my life. I'm really private," said Balotelli. "Maybe some people think I'm really arrogant. I don't care, they can say what they want. I'm a footballer so the most important moment is Sunday on the pitch.

"If I go in the street and one guy gets a picture, they say, 'Mario was there'. Someone calls the press and says, 'Mario was there'. The day after that they say, 'Mario was there'. Is that normal? I'm just walking in town like a normal guy or I go to the pub. I've been to the pub, yeah. Not to drink.

"If Mancini wasn't here I'm never coming. Now that I am here I'm OK. I'm happy. If Mancini says something, he's right. I'm 21, I'm still young. I think already from last year I'm bigger in my head."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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