Roberto Mancini says it is “difficult” to keep striker Mario Balotelli happy at Manchester City if he continues to miss the club’s biggest games. Balotelli, 22, was left out of City’s matchday squad for the high profile Champions league defeat by La Liga champions Real Madrid on Tuesday.
“It is difficult to keep Mario happy if he isn’t first choice,” the City boss said. “He was upset, this is normal.”
The Italian denied Balotelli’s omission was due to an argument.
Mancini started Balotelli at Anfield last month, but he was withdrawn just after the hour mark after an ineffective performance.
Last season, he scored against Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, as well as excelling for Italy at Euro 2012 in the summer.
City face another top level opponent today when they host Arsenal, a team Balotelli was sent off against following bookings for late lunges on Alex Song and Bacary Sagna when the sides last met.
Prior to that fixture, Mancini said he does not “trust” Balotelli, but he hinted the attacker would now feature at the Etihad Stadium.
“I don’t think any player who doesn’t play in the Bernabeu is happy about it, Mancini said.
“But we have four top players up front. Usually we play with two and the other two are on the bench. However, we have others who can play as second striker like Yaya Toure, David Silva and Samir Nasri.
