If you jump, Balotelli dies(Se Saltelli Muore Balotelli) (9 Viewers)
- Thread starter Bjerknes
- Start date
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli and Jérôme Boateng clash in training
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/dec/03/manchester-city-mario-balotelli-jerome-boateng
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/dec/03/manchester-city-mario-balotelli-jerome-boateng
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli will not travel to Italy for the Europa League clash with Juventus as boss Roberto Mancini moves to protect his precocious young star from receiving an expected volley of abuse.
Balotelli will remain in the UK and Emmanuel Adebayor, who has stated his desire to leave the club, will be handed a place in the starting line-up – if fit.
In a turbulent week at Eastlands in which club captain Carlos Tevez has handed in a transfer request, Mancini can ill afford another potential crisis.
The Italian manager wants to avoid a repeat of the racist abuse Balotelli suffered at the hands of Juve fans during his time with Inter.
Racist chanting directed at Balotelli by Juventus fans during a clash between the Bianconeri and Inter last April was labelled “deplorable” by the Italian Football Federation.
The club were forced to play a game against Lecce behind closed doors as a result. And they were fined £17,000 in November 2009 following chants of “If you jump, Balotelli dies” during a match with Udinese.
Balotelli's expected replacement, Adebayor, looked certain to be heading for the exit door after expressing his displeasure with the regime at Eastlands. Milan and Juventus were thought to be heading the list of potential suitors.
But with Tevez looking ever more likely to be departing sooner rather than later, the Togo international has been handed a reprieve and will, fitness permitting, start. If not, the attack will be led by Jo.
Victory at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night will guarantee City progress to the next round as winners of Group A, while Juve are already out of the competition after registering five draws.
Balotelli will remain in the UK and Emmanuel Adebayor, who has stated his desire to leave the club, will be handed a place in the starting line-up – if fit.
In a turbulent week at Eastlands in which club captain Carlos Tevez has handed in a transfer request, Mancini can ill afford another potential crisis.
The Italian manager wants to avoid a repeat of the racist abuse Balotelli suffered at the hands of Juve fans during his time with Inter.
Racist chanting directed at Balotelli by Juventus fans during a clash between the Bianconeri and Inter last April was labelled “deplorable” by the Italian Football Federation.
The club were forced to play a game against Lecce behind closed doors as a result. And they were fined £17,000 in November 2009 following chants of “If you jump, Balotelli dies” during a match with Udinese.
Balotelli's expected replacement, Adebayor, looked certain to be heading for the exit door after expressing his displeasure with the regime at Eastlands. Milan and Juventus were thought to be heading the list of potential suitors.
But with Tevez looking ever more likely to be departing sooner rather than later, the Togo international has been handed a reprieve and will, fitness permitting, start. If not, the attack will be led by Jo.
Victory at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night will guarantee City progress to the next round as winners of Group A, while Juve are already out of the competition after registering five draws.