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Mancini: Rivals provoke Balotelli

Mancini: Rivals provoke Balotelli
© PA Photos
Roberto Mancini thinks that Mario Balotelli needs to "pay attention" in order to prevent getting sent off during matches.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes that some players try to aggravate Mario Balotelli on the field due to the striker's volatile attitude.

The controversial forward was sent off for the North West side during their 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

While the Italian boss believes that Balotelli's red card was unjust, the 47-year-old thinks that the frontman needs to "pay attention".

"I think there are some players who [want to provoke Balotelli]," said Mancini. "But Mario should pay attention. We can do nothing. Only he is on the pitch, not us.

"He should pay attention. He is more mature but it is my opinion that if Mario had stayed on the pitch [against Liverpool] we could have won that game, with 11 players against 11. But when he was sent off we could only draw."

Man City have the chance to go eight points clear in the league table with a win over Norwich City on Saturday.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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