Mancini determined to hang onto Balotelli
Various comments from figures at the San Siro, as well as numerous other reports from Italy, continue to suggest Balotelli could be heading back to his homeland before next week’s transfer deadline.
But City boss Mancini has always maintained he is happy with the 22-year-old striker, despite a number of controversies, including a recent training-ground bust-up, and has no intention of selling.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, who has issued regular statements about Balotelli, this week suggested a move was off because of City’s reportedly high valuation of £28 million. But that has merely led to fresh speculation that Milan now want to sign the Italy international on loan.
When asked about these latest reports, Mancini said: “For two years, the first question always Mario!
“No, it is not true, Mario stays here. We didn’t have any requests about Mario or other players.”
Mancini’s main concern is his side’s FA Cup fourth-round trip to Stoke today.
City have an impressive home record against the Potters — they have won the last three meetings at the Etihad Stadium 3-0 — but it is a different story away.
City have not won in their last six visits to the Britannia Stadium and their last victory in the Potteries came in 1999.
Mancini said: “I think it is not only for us. Every team that goes to the Britannia has a problem because Stoke at home is strong — play well, physical, set-pieces.
“There the pitch is smaller than the Etihad Stadium and probably they have a different approach to the game.
“There are sometimes some squads that play very strong at home and away are different. Stoke are like this.
“But the last two years we played well and had a lot of chances to win and were really unlucky.”
Mancini has happy memories of facing Stoke.
City beat the Potters in the 2011 FA Cup final to claim their epoch-making first trophy since Sheikh Mansour’s 2008 takeover.
Mancini said: “I have good memories, it was a fantastic moment. To win a trophy after 35 years was very important for us because we worked hard and also for the club and our supporters.”
For his part, Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes their “phenomenal” recent FA Cup record is unsurpassed.
“Our record is as good if not better than anyone else’s in recent seasons,” he said. “You look at our record in the past three years and it is phenomenal to have only lost three games.
“Two of those were quarter-finals away to Chelsea and Liverpool and the other the final.”
