Roberto Mancini backs Mario Balotelli to find form at Manchester City
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has said striker Mario Balotelli will adapt to the English game after giving mixed impressions since joining the team this summer.
Balotelli transferred to City from Italian champions Inter Milan, where Mancini introduced him to the first team in 2007.
The striker scored 20 goals in 59 league appearances during his three seasons with the club, during which he also became the youngest Inter player to score in the Champions League.
Last season, Balotelli fell out with manager Jose Mourinho and was criticized by several of Inter's senior players as his disciplinary problems at the club reached a peak.
The Italian prospect has been looking to start on a clean slate with City, but in his three appearances to date, the striker has received two yellow cards.
Despite his fiery temperament on the pitch, Mancini has said Balotelli is due to find his form in England, so long as his focus remains on the pitch and not off it. "It is better that he doesn't talk, just play. He needs to get a focus on the match," the
manager told the Daily Express. "He has been out for a long time and now just needs to play games. Maybe he still needs to understand English football, like David Silva when he first arrived."
Silva also took time to adapt
Silva, another of City's recent signings, has proven integral to City's attack in recently after taking two months to adjust to the physical nature of English football.
The winger has performed especially well in the Europa League, scoring one goal and claiming two assists in his three appearances to date.
"It took David two months to adapt and maybe it will take Mario the same. But people will see that he is a fantastic player."
City travel to face Polish champions Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday, 4 November, before taking on West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League three days later.
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