Source: Daily_Mail
Mario Balotelli karate kicks goalpost in Italy v Uruguay match
Mario Balotelli celebrated his first goal for Italy last week, but just days later had a very different knees-up in his country's defeat to Uruguay. [LNB]As seen in the picture below, Manchester City striker Balotelli, who spurned some of Italy's best opportunities in the 1-0 loss at the Stadio Olimpico, appeared to take out his frustrations on an innocent goalpost. [LNB]Copa America champions Uruguay grabbed an early lead through Sebastian Fernandez and held on to win the friendly - but Balotelli looked anything but that as he karate kicked the frame of the goal while bemused Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera looked on.[LNB] Knees-up: Mario Balotelli lashes out at a goalpost as Fernando Muslera watches [LNB] Balotelli found the net from distance in Poland on Friday for his first goal in senior international football, and almost doubled his tally with another stinging long-range effort in the first half in Rome.[LNB] But Muslera was equal to it and denied the forward again before half-time after a turn and shot. Balotelli's frustration grew further when he headed over the bar from Federico Balzaretti's cross. [LNB]Despite the defeat, after the match Balotelli was quick to point out that Italy are aiming to triumph at Euro 2012 next summer.[LNB] [LNB] Ouch: Diego Perez was left holding his head after a clash with Balotelli[LNB] 'We're going to Poland and Ukraine to win, otherwise it's the end of the world,' Balotelli told Rai Uno after the game. [LNB]And at least Balotelli would take some cherished memories from the day after meeting Italy's President, Giorgio Napolitano, at the presidential palace - the Quirinal - in Rome before the match.[LNB]Balotelli's kick was the latest in an increasingly long line of strange antics for the eccentric star, a ?24million signing for City from Inter Milan in August 2010. [LNB] [LNB] Can I kick it? Balotelli (second left) had his leg up high again in a challenge with Uruguay keeper Muslera in the friendly at the Stadio Olimpico[LNB]The 21-year-old Italian faces a whopping ?400,000 bill for the repair of his bathroom after the infamousfirework incident at his ?3m rented home. His four-bedroom house suffered smoke damage and the bathroom was gutted in the fire, caused bya friend letting off the firework in the early hours on the eve of City's top-of-the-table derby clash at Old Trafford last month. [LNB]Ironically, Balotelli sparkled in the match, scoring twice in a 6-1 win before revealing a t-shirt with the cryptic message: 'why always me?'[LNB] [LNB] Day to remember: Balotelli met Italy President Giorgio Napolitano in Rome[LNB] Balotelli last week gave evidence in a mafia trial, telling prosecutors in Italy that he saw a 'table fullof drugs' at a gangster boss's HQ in Naples.[LNB] He has also turned the garden of his mansion into a race track.[LNB] But Balotelli continues to go from strength to strength on the pitch, scoring seven goals in 10 games for City this season.[LNB] [LNB] Balotelli hit by ?400k home repair bill rocket after infamous blaze caused by fireworkAWOL Tevez City saga will only get worse, admits players rep TaylorI'll manage Mario! Inter boss Ranieri admits he'd love to bring City star Balotelli to San SiroWIN tickets to see Manchester City v Newcastle - courtesy of BarclaysAll teh latest Manchester City FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]
