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Balotelli decisive against Germany: "My mum was here and I hugged her before the match. My dad will be here for the Final against Spain, and I hope to play even better. People were upset by my celebration? Perhaps it’s because I’ve an incredible physique and they’re jealous!"

He still looks like the rebel we’re used to seeing, the ‘bad boy’ who drives the Italy and Manchester City fans crazy. Super Mario Balotelli is the new hero of Italy following the brace that floored Germany and catapulted Italy into the Euro 2012 Final. "Tonight has been the best night in my life,” the Italy No9, who has scored 4 goals in his 13 appearances for the Azzurri, told reporters. “But I hope to have an even better night on Sunday. I hope we win, and it won’t even matter if I play badly.”

Goals and smiles — Before the match, Mario hugged his friends and his mum. And, on the pitch after his 2nd goal, he froze, as motionless as statue after taking off his Italy shirt to show off his chiselled physique: "I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” he explained. "My mum managed to travel here tonight, and, for the Final, my dad will be here too: I hope to score 4 goals then, not just 2! Top goal scorer in the tournament? I’ll try to score again. Cassano? It was a fantastic assist – only he can do things like that. My goal celebration? Yes, some people are upset because they saw my physique and there’re just jealous! The substitution? I had cramp. I was tired. I did ask the coach to wait 5 more minutes before taking me off, but the substitution was ready, so that’s fine. No problem."

Dreaming of glory — Next up: Spain. Italy will ask their new hero to dig deep again: "But we have to stay calm. They play the ball around very well. But we just have to play our game.” And, while he confirmed that he won’t be returning to play Serie A football just yet ("No, not for the moment. I’m in England and staying there. The City fans still love me, even though my penalty knocked England out.") Mario even made a promise to every single Italy fan celebrating after the win: "I hope to be joining you in your celebrations on Sunday."

Legend. Maybe its time City had a european/world footballing icon.

Brilliant. I had a pop at Balo earlier in the competition but last night he was magic.

Second goal the goal of the tournament?

Bluemoon16 wrote:People were upset by my celebration? Perhaps it’s because I’ve an incredible physique and they’re jealous!"

I think we can all identify with this problem.

Im really glad for him, it means so much to Mario, as he has shown us.


He was awesome last night. He put his head down and worked hard for the team. Hope he does it for City more often, or always.

King Kev wrote:

Bluemoon16 wrote:People were upset by my celebration? Perhaps it’s because I’ve an incredible physique and they’re jealous!"

I think we can all identify with this problem.

Damn right you can, I often find myself jealous of your physique, Wendy is one lucky lady.

Hopefully now some idiots will be converted and can accept a black man can be Italian.

I don't think he will ever be allowed to be brilliant in the premier league which is a massive shame.

Referees just hate him too much.

delighted for him, he could end up top scorer now.

he probably won't get the job as the face of Lucozade though:

[youtube]nwzcDemswNk[/youtube]

we've all seen this though, right?

[youtube]W4emZZK1hfk[/youtube]

Balotelli never goes missing in big games. Fact!

I fully expect Italy to win Euro2012 now! Mario is on fire!

Fucking screamer that 2nd goal.

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:Fucking screamer that 2nd goal.

It was magnificent but from a technical point of view, imo it was made neccessary by a lack of dynamism in his previous movements. I think Mario needs to move the ball quicker than he is doing in those positions. It's taking him seconds to do what someone like Kinkladze or even Gary Lineker could do in a fraction of a second: get the ball under control & move.

Slow defenders are catching him, as JT did for England. He should be two yards further ahead & if he isn't, he'll miss as many of those as he scores.

King Kev wrote:

Bluemoon16 wrote:People were upset by my celebration? Perhaps it’s because I’ve an incredible physique and they’re jealous!"

I think we can all identify with this problem.

I can really empathise with the jealousy of others, it's not easy being super-hot with an incredibly incredible body

Ted Hughes wrote:

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:Fucking screamer that 2nd goal.

It was magnificent but from a technical point of view, imo it was made neccessary by a lack of dynamism in his previous movements. I think Mario needs to move the ball quicker than he is doing in those positions. It's taking him seconds to do what someone like Kinkladze or even Gary Lineker could do in a fraction of a second: get the ball under control & move.

Slow defenders are catching him, as JT did for England. He should be two yards further ahead & if he isn't, he'll miss as many of those as he scores.

Think he has to much pace for most defenders,so the issue of his sometimes poor first touch I think is not a big thing,the fact that he will miss I think is something that is always gonna and happens to everybody.

Ted Hughes wrote:
It was magnificent but from a technical point of view, imo it was made neccessary by a lack of dynamism in his previous movements. I think Mario needs to move the ball quicker than he is doing in those positions. It's taking him seconds to do what someone like Kinkladze or even Gary Lineker could do in a fraction of a second: get the ball under control & move.

Slow defenders are catching him, as JT did for England. He should be two yards further ahead & if he isn't, he'll miss as many of those as he scores.

Very good point Ted. It is something he needs to work on.

Absolute Legend!! Nothing else to say! I love the man!

He's gonna come back from these Euro's on fire and full of confidence and rip Premiership defences a new arsehole this season!

Rag_hater wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:Fucking screamer that 2nd goal.

It was magnificent but from a technical point of view, imo it was made neccessary by a lack of dynamism in his previous movements. I think Mario needs to move the ball quicker than he is doing in those positions. It's taking him seconds to do what someone like Kinkladze or even Gary Lineker could do in a fraction of a second: get the ball under control & move.

Slow defenders are catching him, as JT did for England. He should be two yards further ahead & if he isn't, he'll miss as many of those as he scores.

Think he has to much pace for most defenders,so the issue of his sometimes poor first touch I think is not a big thing,the fact that he will miss I think is something that is always gonna and happens to everybody.

Balotelli is nowhere near as quick as Lineker was & it mattered to him.

Ted Hughes wrote:

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:Fucking screamer that 2nd goal.

It was magnificent but from a technical point of view, imo it was made neccessary by a lack of dynamism in his previous movements. I think Mario needs to move the ball quicker than he is doing in those positions. It's taking him seconds to do what someone like Kinkladze or even Gary Lineker could do in a fraction of a second: get the ball under control & move.

Slow defenders are catching him, as JT did for England. He should be two yards further ahead & if he isn't, he'll miss as many of those as he scores.

I think that's a bit harsh as some of those chipped passes over the defenders (he's getting a lot of those for Italy) can be very hard to control. Too heavy or risky a touch & the chance may be gone anyway, so I think his way of 'waiting for the ball to drop' or controlling it with his chest are not bad at all, even if he loses some momentum.

It has to be said tho, he's timing his runs magnificently & seems to have a very good understanding with Pirlo, Montolivo & Cassano in particular.

1950 wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:Fucking screamer that 2nd goal.

It was magnificent but from a technical point of view, imo it was made neccessary by a lack of dynamism in his previous movements. I think Mario needs to move the ball quicker than he is doing in those positions. It's taking him seconds to do what someone like Kinkladze or even Gary Lineker could do in a fraction of a second: get the ball under control & move.

Slow defenders are catching him, as JT did for England. He should be two yards further ahead & if he isn't, he'll miss as many of those as he scores.

I think that's a bit harsh as some of those chipped passes over the defenders (he's getting a lot of those for Italy) can be very hard to control. Too heavy or risky a touch & the chance may be gone anyway, so I think his way of 'waiting for the ball to drop' or controlling it with his chest are not bad at all, even if he loses some momentum.

It has to be said tho, he's timing his runs magnificently & seems to have a very good understanding with Pirlo, Montolivo & Cassano in particular.

He's already fucked up on several occasions in that position for us because he's turned to face the ball rather than controlling it on the half turn thus losing a yard or two yards of pace because he's effectively going backwards. On one occasion, he turned so far that the ball bounced past his left shoulder & he missed it completely. He should be controlling the ball going forwards not backwards.