Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has quelled speculation of a row with star Italian striker Mario Balotelli after he was left out of the side which lost 3-2 to Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League in midweek.
Rumours had spread that Balotelli had been dropped from the side for disciplinary reasons after he wasn’t even included on the bench despite travelling to Spain for the defeat where City had led with five minutes to play, before conceding twice late.
However, Mancini insisted such suggestions were off the mark and Balotelli was absent for tactical reasons.
“It is totally false what someone wrote. It is not true,” Mancini told reporters.
“Mario was in the stand only because we decided to play with only Tevez and I only had three strikers [in the 18].”
Looking ahead, City take on Arsenal on Sunday with Mancini stating Sergio Aguero could return after injury, while ex-Gunner Samir Nasri won’t be ready.