Mancini sounds red alert for Balotelli

MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini has warned striker Mario Balotelli to expect opponents to test his temperament.

Mancini accused Liverpool players of provoking the mercurial Italy forward when he was sent off in the Premier League leaders’ draw at Anfield last week.

Balotelli’s dismissal, after he received a second yellow card for a challenge on Martin Skrtel, was his third since joining City 16 months ago and Mancini fears he could become a target for streetwise opponents.