Mario Balotelli: Manchester derby will top the lot - 7M sport

Mario Balotelli: Manchester derby will top the lot



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Posted Friday, October 21, 2011 by The Sun

Mario Balotelli: Manchester derby will top the lot

MARIO BALOTELLI believes Manchester will soon be the home of the biggest derby in world football.

All eyes will be on Old Trafford this Sunday lunchtime as leaders City go head-to-head with champions United.

City's Super Mario cannot wait to be part of it and insists this match up already eclipses the Milan derby between AC and his old club Inter.

But he also insists it will not be long before it even eclipses the 'El Clasico' showdown between Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The controversial Italian striker, 21, said: "Maybe now, City v United is a better football match than Milan v Inter.

"If I was sat at home and could watch one of the two, I think I'd watch United v City.

"Barca v Real Madrid is the biggest for the history — but soon United v City will be the biggest derby in the world."

The two meetings at Wembley in the last six months proved why this match-up has become so unmissable.

United stormed back from two goals down to win a thrilling Community Shield in August.

But back in April it was City's day as they edged the FA Cup semi-final by a single goal — sparking wild celebrations at the end. No one enjoyed it more than Balotelli who ended up in an angry spat with England defender Rio Ferdinand within minutes of the final whistle.

Now he is ready to renew hostilities with the central defender on Sunday but will offer his hand before the game.

The Italian bad boy said: "I didn't ever speak to him. But I don't have anything against him.

"I just celebrated. I showed him the shirt of City. Obviously he got angry with me. But for me what happened on the pitch stays on the pitch.

"Now we are friends like before, or at least we respect each other anyway.

"I'm going to give him the handshake before the game like I give to everyone. He's a great player."

Balotelli made headlines for all the wrong reasons last season — getting into scrapes as he struggled to settle in England.

But he has been a different man this campaign and City are reaping the rewards with Balotelli scoring in his last four games and earning good reviews for his overall teamwork.

He added: "The real Mario is coming now and it isn't the same Mario as last year when I was injured a lot.

"I've made changes in my life — things like I don't live in town anymore. I'm outside so it's more quiet. I try to stay at home more.

"Maybe I'll stay in now with my family, my brother or my girlfriend. They weren't here last year.

"It's quieter now but also I am growing up. If I missed home so much last year, maybe now I miss it a little bit less."

It seems to have done the trick if his recent form is anything to go by, but he said: "It's four goals in four and I hope to God it will be five in five.

"The way I am playing is not impressive to me because I knew already, and our manager Roberto Mancini knew, how I used to play before.

"I had one chance in the FA Cup game. If I get two or three in this game I think I can score."

City go into the match with a two-point lead over their neighbours — but United have not dropped a point at Old Trafford in a year — and boosted by their dramatic last-gasp Champions League win against Villarreal on Tuesday.

Yet Balotelli has warned that being top comes naturally to him and added: "I was at Inter for four years and we were top of the table.

"Last year in the Premier League we were second. That was the first time in my life I was second.

"For me it's normal to be top of the table — that's where I want to be.

"But we will only stay there if we keep doing the things we are — and keep playing like we are."



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