Source: Daily_Mail
Roberto Mancini: Mario Balotelli can be bigger than Fernando Torres
Roberto Mancini admits he knew his attempt to sign Fernando Torres from Liverpool this summer was doomed from the start. [LNB]But judging by his impact in Timisoara on Thursday night, Mario Balotelli will prove an adequate alternative to the Spain striker who pledged his future to Merseyside before Mancini could make a serious offer. [LNB]Balotelli came on as a substitute and scored the winner in City's 1-0 Europa League play-off first leg win in Romania. He could have had a hat-trick. [LNB] Super Mario: Mancini insists his summer signing can be bigger than Fernando Torres [LNB]Mancini believes it showed the 20-year-old can be an even betterplayer than Torres because his new £23million acquistion can play as awinger, not just as a striker. [LNB]The Manchester City managersaid: 'It was difficult for Liverpool to sell Torres because he's suchan important player for them. Yes, I think that Balotelli could be asgood as Torres and even better than him.[LNB]Kop that! Mancini was interested in Torres [LNB] 'That's because Torrescan only play as a striker. Balotelli can play as a striker and a awinger. 'He has a different attitude from Torres but what is sure isthat we are talking about two fantastic players. [LNB]'In myview there are eight or nine fantastic strikers. Torres and Balotelliare two of them. Then there's Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, Tevez, Messi.Trying to sign players like that is difficult but we've managed to getanother one.' [LNB]Mancini also believes Balotelli, who isexpected to be fit to face Liverpool tonight despite leaving the pitchin Romania with his right knee strapped, will adapt to the English gamequickly. [LNB]The 45-year-old, who gave Balotelli his debut whenhe was manager at Inter Milan, said: 'He has everything you need toscore a goal. He is suited to the Premier League because it isdifferent to Italian football. [LNB]'The defenders do not know much about him but they will see, like (Carlos) Tevez, he can change everything about a game.'[LNB] Liverpool versus Manchester City? 'It's King Kong versus Mickey Mouse' Balotelli insists injured knee will not stop him from facing LiverpoolAdebayor: 'I love the challenge at City... but I know I could be asked to leave'Liverpool's Milan Jovanovic making a giant leap as Kop takes shine to new signingMANCHESTER CITY FC
