Mario Balotelli 'ends romance with on/off girlfriend Raffaella Fico'
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has reportedly ended his relationship with pregnant girlfriend Raffaella Fico.
The Italian model is due to give birth to Balotelli's first child on Christmas day and the 22-year-old forward is believed to have requested two weeks off from Manchester City to spend time with his child.
Despite rekindling their relationship earlier this year, it is understood that the pair have called it quits for the second time, according to the Daily Mail.
The couple first split when Fico confronted Balotelli about rumours that he had been cheating.
Mario Balotelli told to focus on his career at Manchester City by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli
Mario Balotelli has been told to focus on his football career rather than glossy magazine interviews by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli.
Prandelli, who coaxed from Balotelli some of the best performances of his career during Euro 2012, admitted that the Manchester City forward is ‘upset’ with his recent lack of action at the Etihad Stadium under manager Roberto Mancini.
The 22-year-old, dropped from the City squad for Sunday’s 2-1 win against Tottenham, is expected to return to action for Italy in a friendly against France on Wednesday.
But after appearing on the front cover of Time magazine this month, Prandelli has warned Balotelli to remember that football is his priority.
“He’s a unique footballer, with a unique personality, based on what he does in his daily life.” said Prandelli when asked about Balotelli’s appearance in Time.
“But he must not forget that, above all, he is an athlete. It’s important that a footballer is talked about for what he does on the pitch.”
Prandelli added: “Mario is a bit upset about being left out by Mancini, who I know only did it for technical reasons.
“But he shouldn’t take it to heart, Mancini just thinks others are in better form.
“Clearly he’s not satisfied with what he’s been doing, but Mario has to show that he deserves his place every day in training. He’ll get his chance to prove him wrong.”
City full-back Gael Clichy has withdrawn from the France squad for the clash against the Italians due to a persistent back problem and is now a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Aston Villa.
The former Arsenal defender was due to be given an injection by City’s medical team in an effort to ease the injury and it is understood that he could now be rested for the Villa game in order to be fit for next Wednesday’s crucial Champions League date against Real Madrid.
Defender Matija Nastasic is also a doubt for the weekend after withdrawing from Serbia’s squad for the friendly against Chile with a knee injury sustained against Spurs on Sunday.
Aleks Kolarov: Manchester City STILL the top team in England
Manchester City may have let themselves down in the Champions League, but they are STILL the team to beat in England.
And Aleks Kolarov believes that the flak the Blues have been taking, despite being the last unbeaten team in the country, is proof they are the top dogs.
The Serbian utility man thinks that the win over Tottenham, and the bright performance, was a sign that the Blues are on the way back to their best – and that signals trouble for United, Chelsea and any other pretenders to their crown.
City have pieced together a joint club record of 17 unbeaten games in the Premier League, a run stretching back to Easter Sunday, and sit a comfortable two points behind leaders United in the table, without playing particularly well.
But the return of David Silva from injury, and the renaissance of Sergio Aguero with goals in each if his last two games, have City on an upward curve in terms of form.
And Kolarov says City will have to learn to live with the snipers, now they are up there to be shot at.
“Like the fans say, we know who we are, and it can happen that during the season you have bad moments,” said the Serbian.
“We need to improve on our performance against Tottenham, and in training, but we are going down the right road and if we keep getting better it could be good at the end of the season.
“I understand why we get so much criticism - everybody wants to beat us because we are the champions and haven’t lost any games this season.
“The smallest teams, and the biggest teams, all want to beat us and give 200 per cent to do that. We have lost games in the Champions League but we are still the best team in the Premier League, I think.
“If we play the way we know how, we will be the champions. If we carry on playing with the same spirit we showed against Spurs, nobody can beat us.”
The only chink in City’s armour on Sunday was their defending from set-pieces, and Kolarov agreed that the zonal marking system needs some work on it, as 60 per cent of the goals City have conceded this season have come from corners and free kicks.
There was more confusion as Spurs took the lead at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, as big defender Steven Caulker got between Kolarov and Pablo Zabaleta, and then beat Matija Nastasic to Tom Huddlestone’s free kick to head the opening goal.
Kolarov echoed manager Roberto Mancini’s words: “We need to improve on set-pieces because we conceded two goals against Ajax in the Champions League and then another on Sunday.
“We mark from zone to zone and nobody knows who needs to mark the player. We need to improve on this, but we reacted very well to being a goal down, which is always important.”
City stormed back from that setback to level through Aguero, and Kolarov’s pal Edin Dzeko again came off the bench to win it – the seventh time in his last nine substitute appearance that he has scored.
Dzeko himself is puzzled as to why he is scoring so freely from the bench but is finding it hard when he plays from the start, and it has Kolarov baffled too.
Dzeko has also expressed his unhappiness at not getting a run of games, but Kolarov says that is something shared by every player who can not pin down a regular starting place – including himself.
“I can’t explain what it is about Edin, but it is important for us that he continues to score, whether it is from the bench or starting from the first minute,” said Kolarov. “That goes for all of the strikers, and it is the manager’s choice who starts.
“It’s tough not just for him, but also for me and for other players who don’t play every game. It’s hard to keep your form at a high level, but we are professional and need to accept it is the manager’s choice.
“That goes for Edin, for me and for every player who doesn’t play every game.”
One player who has started to look like a regular is Kolarov’s fellow Serbia international Matija Nastasic, who has begun the last four games.
His position will be tested when Joleon Lescott returns from a back problem – which could be as soon as Saturday’s home game with Aston Villa.
But Mancini had enough faith in the 19-year-old to hand him a debut against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.
That did not come as a big surprise to Kolarov: “I saw him last season in Italy. He was a kid when he signed for Fiorentina and I saw him play a couple of games for them – people were all talking about him.
“He is just 19, but he can have his place in this squad. He has the potential to be a big talent for us, and playing in this team will just make him improve."
MANCHESTER CITY ACE PABLO ZABALETA TAUNTS PREMIER LEAGUE RIVALS
PABLO ZABALETA has taunted Manchester City’s Premier League rivals by insisting: “Nobody can beat us.”
Despite being woeful in the Champions League, City remain the only unbeaten side in the top flight this season.
And Roberto Mancini’s men sit just two points behind leaders Manchester United as they look to defend their title.
Zabaleta reckons Mancini’s men are there to be shot at but insists the Blues can handle the heat and become invincible like Arsenal did in 2003-04.
The Argentine star also believes the Blues are still top dogs and he said: “We know who we are and it can happen that during the season you have bad moments.
“We need to improve on our performance against Tottenham but we are going down the right road.
“I understand why we get so much criticism – everybody wants to beat us because we are the champions and haven’t lost this season.
“We have lost games in the Champions League but we are still the best team in the Premier League.
“If we carry on playing with the same spirit we showed against Spurs, nobody can beat us.”
And Zabaleta admits it is tough for some star names like himself and Edin Dzeko to accept substitute roles as Mancini rotates his massive squad.
He added: “It is the manager’s choice who starts. It’s tough, but we are professional and need to accept it.”
Sassuolo striker Domenico Berard is being monitored by Premier League clubs
Sassuolo striker Domenico Berardi's agent claims Manchester City are interested in the teenager, while the club's general director says Liverpool and Southampton are also monitoring him.
The 18-year-old has impressed in Serie B this season, scoring three goals in 10 appearances, to reportedly turn the heads of some of Europe's heavyweights.
His agent, Giuseppe Galli, says City have joined Serie A clubs Juventus and Roma in the race for Berardi's signature and revealed all three clubs have sent scouts to watch him in action for Sassuolo.
"Juventus, Roma and Manchester City seeking Berardi? These are not rumours - this is real interest," Galli told tuttojuve.com.
"During recent weeks these clubs have sent observers to see Sassuolo's matches on many occasions.
"Manchester City's scouts have often come from England."
Sassuolo's general director, Nereo Bonato, insists there has been no contact with any clubs but says Liverpool and Southampton have requested to attend matches.
He told calciomercato.it: "We have received accreditation requests to view our games in recent times from English clubs such as Liverpool and Southampton.
"But it is too early to talk about the market so there has been no contact with any club."
Bonato is hoping to keep Berardi, who has also been linked with Manchester United, at the Serie B club until at least the end of the season.
"Berardi has important qualities and certainly he deserves attention, but I think the guy has yet to grow and that Sassuolo is the right place for him to do it," he added.
"We would like to keep the whole team until the end of the season, then in June we'll see."
EVRA GOBSHITE BOLLOX
City Have Long Way To Go Before They Challenge United, Says Evra
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra does not believe Manchester City's title victory last season puts them on the same level as the Red Devils and insists that United are a better side.
City won the Premier League in the final moments of the 2011/12 season as Sergio Aguero scored a 94th minute winner against QPR to clinch the title. However Evra believes that the Blue half of Manchester will always be inferior, even though they lost 6-1 at home to them last season as well.
With United due to visit City on 9th December, the defender told French media,"I know Mario very well.
"But I don't know if we could talk about rivalry between both Manchester clubs, because we have always been superior to Manchester City. And even if they won the national title last season, that won't change anything."
Meanwhile, Evra is determined to finish his France career on a high as he looks ahead to the 2014 World Cup.
The 31-year-old was one of the players banned by the French Football Federation in the wake of their 2010 World Cup shame.
And Evra was then left as an unused substitute by former France boss Laurent Blanc as they were knocked out of Euro 2012 by Spain.
He said: "Above all, I want to win a trophy with my country. Terminating my career without a trophy with the national team would be a failure to me."
SPURS VIEW
Man City reaction
Ok so did I expect to win? No. did I expect it to be close yes, but I am still not happy. The result is fine, but how the team played is not.
Whether you watched the game or not its not important, whats important is the stats.
For the whole game we managed just 2 shots on target (one less than Wigan in our last loss at the Lane!). Our pass succession rate was a ridiculous 66%, but more worryingly 38% possession!
Ok now yet again folks this is not a witch hunt, but anyone can see that those figures are alarming no matter who you are playing against (these are more figures you'd expect on paper for a premier league side playing a championship side).
Why is it that fans are stating to give AVB a chance and the team some time. Well none of those comments come in to those sorts of stats. What I mean by this is that a team does not have to gel properly to produce a good pass succession rate, nor does this have to for possession, where you expect it to affect them is on the shooting and individual positioning etc (missing the finishing touches at the front and back).
This was seen very clearly on both of Man City's goals. If you compare it to Caulkers goal the defense were all over him and he just managed to sneak in. Our defense was more open than my local farmers field!
Yes we must be patient with the players learning the tactics and manager learning the players, but we cannot drop everything for highly paid players and staff that expect years to start performing to where they left off! I can understand if we finish in a close 5th again, but to drop is a huge disappointment.
If the players aren't there (which if we are honest they aren't as no one has replaced VDV or Modric) than there is only 1 man to blame there and its not the manager or players.
What we fans expect is a big apology for how poor it all is, that they will improve. Each time we lose we are fed the same rubbish (it was an unacceptable performance and we will bounce back). Well forgive me if I am wrong, but you were supposed to bounce back from the Wigan loss?!
All I expect is the manager to be honest and the players to put their hands up for the mistakes. Gallas has been dreadful, but he can still TALK's a good game (not enough). Friedel should have got something on Dzeko's goal it went right between his flapping arms, Dawson didn't have a clue he was there and Caulker just couldn't be bothered to follow his man. These are not mistakes that can be rectified by giving people time to adjust, they are mistakes made by people that have an off day or just aren't good enough. But these off day's are too often.
My thoughts are simple, come January Levy must dip back into his pockets to buy the players he should have in the summer. We lose far too many good players all the time (by waiting). We could have had Llorente (but waited and waited, now he'll go to a big club), Falcao we could have had him before he went to Porto, now we have no chance. Most recently we have Damiao, we could have got him 2 seasons ago (but Levy didn't like the €14million price tag), now he'll end up at Madrid or Willian who's been the star of the champions league that'll never come.
Its the same old thing, not taking the chances on and off the pitch. I have patience, but it is beginning to wear thin. I expect more from the players and more from the games. If we lose but play to the best of our ability fine, but as it stands they need to up their game all over the field.
I am still here though supporting and waiting for the good timesagain (like the Man Utd result)!
Come on you Spurs
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[spoiler]
[/spoiler]AC Milan have intensified their efforts to beat Chelsea and Manchester City to sign Pep Guardiola as their next manager. DSSC
Liverpool have approached Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala over a deal to sign 6ft 8in striker Lacina Traore, 22, who scored against the Reds in the Europa League last week. Metro
QPR want to sign former Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, 33, from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua to help them out of the Premier League relegation zone. Sun
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, 24, insists he has no intention of leaving after being linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Marca
Juventus are ready to make a January move for Udinese's Morocco defender Mehdi Benatia, 25, - a recent target for Manchester United and Tottenham. talkSHIT
Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 31, has urged Liverpool's Steven Gerrard to move to a club capable of winning major trophies before it's too late. Daily Mirror
And Gerrard, 32, admits he has plenty of career regrets as he prepares to win his 100th England cap against Sweden. Guardian
Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, 20, got a rude awakening before his possible England debut when Sweden coach Erik Hamren admitted: "I've never heard of you." Sun
Former Stoke manager Lou Macari has urged England boss Roy Hodgson to play Ryan Shawcross, 25, for the full 90 minutes against Sweden. Stoke Sentinel
Liverpool are in talks to extend their shirt sponsorship deal with banking firm Standard Chartered. Daily Telegraph
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is considering ditching his favoured back-four formation to tighten up the team's defence. DSSC
The Premier League TV rights deal is set to top £5bn for the first time. Guardian
The four Peterborough players fined and transfer-listed after a weekend night out in the city have asked the Professional Footballers' Association to help them fight the case. Peterborough Telegraph
Former France defender Willy Sagnol believes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will battle it out for the Ballon d'Or. Goal.com
Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole who has had a knee injury could be fit to face Fulham on Saturday. The Journal
Tottenham could be without Kyle Walker, Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon for Saturday's derby clash with Arsenal. Independent
But Spurs assistant boss Steffen Freund insists the balance of power in north London has shifted away from the Gunners since he was a player at White Hart Lane. Daily Star
Argentina star Lionel Messi got a shock when a soldier's gun was inadvertently pointed at him as he was escorted through a Saudi Arabia airport. Metro
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard says some Everton players were keener than others to strip off and pose for their charity calendar. Liverpool Echo
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