Rumours abound, the one catching most attention regards Balotelli's agent and lawyer having a meeting with MCFC officials today to tie up the loose ends on the transfer. The outcome being that the transfer is hours away not days. Whether it is remains to be seen.
Anyone unsure of the phenominal ability of Mario Balotelli?
For many Italian fans he is seen as a trouble-maker, a bad apple, a disruptive influence. For the few who see below the surface he is the saviour of Italian football, a giant in the making, future world player of the year, that's how highly he is rated.
His ability is in no doubt, nor is his temprament but we must remember this is a young man who made his debut for Inter Milan at the age of 15, yes that's right 15 years old!
Roberto Mancini will bring the very best out of him, the reason? Mancini believes in this lad and Balotelli believes in Mancini that bond of trust and belief will help develop Mario Balotelli into one of the great strikers of his generation, provided he listens and learns, as he matures he should become a forward to strike fear into the heart of any defence in the world.
Meanwhile.....
City played their third game of the US tour yesterday as they took on Mexican side Club America. With several of the world cup absentees returning it was a more recognisable team that took to the pitch.
Yaya Toure had an impressive 45mins making his City debut, showing glimpses of what we can come to expect in the soon to arrive Premier League season.
There were also returns for Gareth Barry, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Vladimir Weiss and a second half return from his shoulder injury for number one stopper, Shay Given.
City's first real sight on goal was Adam Johnson's shot from the corner of the area,dipping just over the top, Club America's busy midfielder Montenegro hit the post beating Joe Hart's despairing dive.
It was City that made the breakthrough Johnson's weaving run into the box resulted in Masquera bringing down the lively winger. Adebayor placed the ball on the spot and calmly slotted it low to the keepers right, 1-0 to City and that was how it remained as the whistle blew on a decent half of football.
After the break both teams made changes and it was Club America's sub Esqueda who made the first big impact equalising just minutes after half-time, Jo later went close as his shot is deflected wide by the keeper, the ever busy Montenegro fired in a fierce shot that beat Given but came back off the post. In the latter stages, Weiss had a shot from the edge of the box which the keeper spilled to Jo's feet but he was unable to finish.
City then had two chances to score in as many minutes, firstly Adebayor hits bar after through ball from Jo split the Mexican defence.
That was how it finished a 1-1 draw played with a good tempo and so to penalties...
First up was City's goalscorer Adebayor he scored low to keepers right where he'd already scored previously (1-0), Pardo(CA) stepped up to score down the middle (1-1), Jo, who had a hatful of opportunities to score in normal time confidently stepped up to send his shot the same way as Ade (2-1), next up was Mosquera(CA) having given the penalty for City's goal could he redeem himself? The answer was no Given making a save to his right (2-1).
Weiss fresh from the World Cup slotted his spot kick to keepers left(3-1), Montenegro(CA) who had been denied twice by the woodwork saw his shot saved Given diving to his left(3-1), the next one is a pressure shot, score and it's over miss and it continues, who do you want in a pressure situation?
Patrick Vieira of course, after composing himself he slotted his spot kick low to the keepers right to give City a 4-1 win.
With all the penalty takers finding the back of the net and Given making 2 saves, City pick up their first piece of silverware under Mancini, abliet not the kind were dreaming of, but all things start somewhere.
Now the squad prepare to face Italian domestic 'double' winners and reigning European Champions Inter Milan on Saturday.
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