Just days after declaring that his relationship with his team-mates was the only thing that kept him sane in Manchester, Mario Balotelli was involved in a training ground bust-up with Aleksandar Kolarov.
The controversial Manchester City striker squared up to Kolarov at Carrington on Thursday in yet another unsavoury scene in what has been a troubled 12 months.
The precociously talented 20-year-old Italian revealed only this week: ‘I’m not happy in Manchester, I don’t like the city. With the boss and the rest of the team I’m OK but the city is not up to my taste.’
In an interview with Italian TV in Dublin he added: ‘I miss my family, my friends. I’m looking at this experience as part of growing up on a personal level. Will I remain with City until the end of my contract? I don’t know, I’m here for the time being then we’ll see.’
Images of the bust-up will bring back memories for City fans of a similar incident with Jerome Boateng in December 2010.
The German defender has now left for Bayern Munich after an unhappy season in Manchester which was compounded by Balotelli's aggression towards him back in May.
City boss Roberto Mancini has regularly expressed his frustration at Balotelli's attitude and the latest incident will do little to temper that frustration.
Only last month Balotelli faced Mancini's wrath when he spurned a goalscoring opportunity in a friendly against LA Galaxy by attempting an audacious back heel when all he had to do was tap in.
In a turbulent first season in England, Balotelli also angered Manchester United's Rio Fredinand after City's FA Cup semi-final triumph over their neighbours at Wembley in May.
Meanwhile, Craig Bellamy cut a forlorn figure at Carrington on Thursday.
The 31-year-old is not wanted by Mancini and as of yet he as been unable to find a suitable club for the Wales international striker.
Bellamy is instead faced with the mounting possibility of remaining in City's reserves.
Bust up: Mario Balotelli (left) confronts Aleksandar Kolarov
Bad boy: Balotelli is no stranger to controversy
Unhappy: Balotelli declared this week that he does not like Manchester
Missing home: Balotelli stands alone at Carrington
Deja vu: Balotelli fights with Jerome Boateng (right) in December 2010
Strained relationship: Roberto Mancini (left) has struggled to keep Balotelli's behaviour in check
Confrontation: Mancini (left) substituted Balotelli after his attempted back heel against LA Galaxy
You winker: Rio Ferdinand retaliates to Balotelli's antics at Wembley in May
Lonely figure: Craig Bellamy watches on in training
The 31-year-old is not wanted by Mancini and as of yet he as been unable to find a suitable club for the Wales international striker.
Not wanted: Mancini is trying to sell Bellamy
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