Source: Team_Talk
Balotelli could make early City debut
Mario Balotelli could make a surprise debut for Manchester City on Thursday night against Timisoara in the Europa League.[LNB] It was widely expected that the former Inter Milan striker, who joined the club last week, arrived too late to be included in the squad.[LNB]However UEFA confirmed on Tuesday morning that Balotelli still had a chance of playing in the play-off first leg-match as one change can be made to the original list.[LNB]City, though, face a race against time as the 20-year-old's registration needs to approved by both the Football Association and UEFA before midnight on Wednesday.[LNB]UEFA article 18.14 states: "For the three qualifying rounds and the play-offs, one player on List A may be changed until 24.00 CET on the day before the relevant first-leg match, provided that the club's national association confirms in writing that the new player is eligible to play at domestic level at this time."[LNB]The squad are due to travel on Wednesday with reports in Romania stating that Timisoara are on 100 euros a man to beat City and progress in the competition.[LNB]Balotelli can be a big hit in the Premier League, according to Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.[LNB]Blues manager Ancelotti is an admirer of the 20-year-old, who arrived at Eastlands in a reported £22.5million deal.[LNB]"Mario is a great player who comes into a team that was already strong last year, which has improved in the transfer window," Ancelotti told Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport.[LNB]"Balotelli is a player suited to this league. He is very strong physically and technically. He will slot into his new team in a hurry."[LNB]Ancelotti guided Chelsea to the Double in his first season last year, and saw his team open the new campaign with a 6-0 thrashing of West Brom at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]The Italian believes if Roberto Mancini can gel all of his multi-million pound talent together, then City - who drew 0-0 at Tottenham on Saturday - could challenge for the championship.[LNB]"If he manages to assemble very strong players like Yaya Toure, [David] Silva and Balotelli in a hurry, then yes, City will be ready to fight for first place," Ancelotti said.
