Serial championship winner Roberto Mancini has sung the Euro praises of Mario Balotelli and slated the stumbling efforts of the rags Wayne Rugney…
Quite possibly the most tragic sight amid England’s pisspoor in denial demise at Euro 2012 was Wayne Rooney choosing the moment of nodding in a goal my Gran could have scored by drawing attention to his deliverance-ish village idiot haircut.
Thereafter it was downhill all the way for every Stretford’s favourite scouser who had been woefully incapable of maintaining required fitness levels during his extra match rest time due to foolish suspension. No performance enhancing rug cold dig him out of that one.
The sight of Rugney gasping and wheezing through the two games he played in was in sharp contrast to the pace and power Mario Balotelli has expressed thus far in this tournament. He’s threatening to score a howitzer.
Mancio agreed via the pages of Corriere dello Sport:
‘…many people are underestimating what Mario did. He was at the heart of the game against England. He had five to six chances, and was unlucky not to score. If we compare him to Rooney, who we only noticed when it came to penalties, Mario did much better. He is a great striker we must support all the way.’
The dapper City gaffer went on to question the modern era persistence in England of playing so many domestic games without a winter break whilst other nations continue to burn the England players off when major tournaments get down to the business end.
He has a point. Many Saint George fans are suggesting a rule whereby a minimum quota of English players must start each Premier League game in a bid to strengthen the national squad. But would the Football Association dare even consider it now that Premier League income has gone into the stratosphere? This is a debate that will rumble on through the summer.
Meanwhile, major tournament perma-flop, the 26 year old Rugney, who carried Stretford through last season looks to be in need of a long rest, whereas the 21 year old Balotelli, pilloried by BBC TV hacks repeatedly despite himself carrying a raft of medals has another chance to shine on one of the biggest footballing stages this week in a European Championship Semi-Final.
UPCOMING GAMES:
all times East Manchester
Fri 27 Jul TBC Arsenal, Birds Nest Stadium, Beijing, Friendly
Mon 30 Jul TBC Malaysia Friendly
Sun 12 Aug 13h30 Chelsea, Villa Park, Community Shield
Sa 18 Aug 15h00 Southampton, The Etihad PL
Sa 25 Aug 15h00 Liverpool, Anfield PL
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES:
The draw for the 2012/13 Champions League Group Stage will take place in Monaco on Thursday, 30th August. The opening round of games will kick off in the week commencing Monday, 17th September.
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