Balotelli bust-up with Boateng adds fuel to the fire at City

MANCHESTER CITY bad-boy Mario Balotelli was involved in a training ground bust-up with team-mate Jerome Boateng yesterday.

Balotelli reacted angrily to a challenge from Boateng and the two players had to be separated by Kolo Toure after they squared up to each other.

Balotelli was eventually calmed down by his team-mates before being spoken to by manager Roberto Mancini.

The incident will represent an embarrassment for Manchester City after several weeks of reports of a fractious atmosphere at the club.

Vincent Kompany and Emmanuel Adebayor became involved in an on-field row earlier this season, while there was a similar incident between Yaya Toure and James Milner.

A number of City players have stressed that there are no divisions in the squad, just a high level of competition for places that has benefited the team.

Mancini will therefore not be happy that these fresh images of Balotelli and Boateng have come to light ahead of today’s home game against in-form Bolton.

The Italian manager has previously spoken to Balotelli about the importance of controlling his temper and staying focused on his performances.

Adam Johnson, meanwhile, says he is beginning to feel the benefits after adopting the Mancini mantra at Manchester City.

The former Middlesbrough winger scored a superb individual goal in the victory against Salzburg this week which helped secure the club’s passage into the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Johnson, 23, is now hoping to retain his place in the side to face Bolton and make only his sixth start in the league this season.

Mancini has been critical of the player’s attitude in the past, especially after he broke into the England team.

Johnson, however, has nothing but praise for the way his boss has brought him on in the 10 months since he left the Riverside Stadium.

He said: “From the moment he came in the manager he has helped me a lot. He has told me all sorts of different things.

“He has seen a lot in his career and all his advice is starting to show a little bit in my game. It is about running off the ball, my movement and stuff like that and when to get a shot in.

“It is also about not wanting the ball at my feet all the time, and maybe trying to get in the box and on the end of a few more crosses.

“I was happy with my performance against Salzburg and really pleased with my goal. Hopefully a bit more of that will come in the next few weeks.’’

For his part, Bolton boss Owen Coyle is relishing the prospect of taking on City.

Coyle said: “Any team that was to win at City would send out a big signal as it is a tough place to go. But we are looking forward to playing against some of the best players in football.

“That is a great opportunity for my players to show what they are about. That is what I have told them to do.

“We have to stand toe-to-toe with them and say ‘we might be Bolton, a far smaller club but we can play a little bit as well’.”