Dirty TackleDT Exclusive: Roberto Mancini’s training-ground fight with Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli was involved in yet another training ground scuffle, this time with manager Roberto Mancini. According to the Manchester Evening News, Mancini was upset by Balotelli's bad challenge on teammate Scott Sinclair and scolded him for it. When Balotelli dismissed his criticism, a enraged Mancini "ran at him" and tried to throw him to the ground, but failed. The following is a transcript of what was probably said in this heated moment.
Mancini: Mario, bad challenge! Bad challenge, Mario!
Balotelli: I was trying to help him out. You signed Scott Sinclair to a four-year contract -- four years! -- and he never plays. At least if he's hurt he can tell his family and friends that's why. It would be far less embarrassing for him.
Mancini: Don't start on my transfer policy, Mario!
Balotelli: I'm not saying anything. I'm glad you signed Javi Garcia for £16 million instead of putting that money towards signing Robin van Persie, the one reason we're not top of the table right now.
Mancini: That's it, Mario! I've had enough of your constant reminders of my shortcomings. I'm going to show you that unnecessary violence in training is not acceptable by fighting you. Prepare to be physically attacked!
Balotelli: Seriously? You're going to try and fight me now?
Mancini: Yes.
Balotelli: That's pretty dumb.
Mancini: Well, I'm doing it.
Balotelli: I figured. You've never shied away from doing dumb things in the past...Samir Nasri...
Mancini: Says the man with the camouflage Bentley who blew up his bathroom!
Balotelli: Your point?
Mancini: My point is that I'm about to teach you some respect! Prepare for your face to meet the ground, Mario.
Balotelli: And how exactly are you going to make that happen?
Mancini: I'm going to use your weakness for bibs against you and twist yours up until you get confused and fall down!
Balotelli: Wow. OK. With strategies like that, how have you not won the Champions League yet?
Mancini: Stop doing that and start being weak enough for me to manipulate!
Gareth Barry: Can I go stare at the wall now? This is making me feel uncomfortable.
Carlos Tevez: Hahaha you don't ask to leave, dummy. You just go and don't come back for, like, five months.
Mancini: You must all watch as I finally take control of Mario! Watch and respect me as I pull at his bib!
[Mancini and Balotelli get pulled apart]
Mancini: No! No! I almost had him!
Balotelli: OK, I'm going home to not care about this.
Alex Ferguson: And that's why I always keep a shiv in my sock.
