Source: Daily_Mail
Mario Balotelli questioned by Manchester City team-mate Nigel de Jong
Nigel de Jong has warned Mario Balotelli he must learn from his mistakes after the Manchester City striker's red card shame at Eastlands on Thursday night.[LNB]Manager Roberto Mancini is giving serious consideration to axing Balotelli from his squad to face Chelsea on Sunday.[LNB]Mancini claimed the latest controversy to erupt around the young Italian cost City a place in the Europa League quarter-finals after he had watched his remaining 10 men battle for almost an hour to overhaul Dynamo Kiev's first-leg advantage.[LNB]The Italian was later pictured getting out of his car after the game, allegedly confronting Dynamo Kiev fans.[LNB] Seeing red: Mario Balotelli was sent off after his wild lunge on Dynamo Kiev's Goran Popov[LNB]In the end, the Blues fell just short, with many fans pinning the blame on Balotelli, who was sent off for a ridiculous studs-first challenge on Goran Popov.[LNB]Balotelli remains a popular figure within the City dressing room but De Jong - embroiled in his own controversy following the World Cup final - admits the striker must start to heed a few lessons.[LNB]'He is a young boy of 20 and he has to learn from his mistakes,' said the Dutch international. [LNB]'I told him. Everyone told him.[LNB] When will you learn: City team-mate Nigel de Jong has warned Balotelli he must learn from his mistakes[LNB]'He is still part of the squad and has a lot of potential. He is a very good player but has to realise, on a professional level, you sometimes have to change your mentality.'[LNB]De Jong will certainly be around to offer his own experiences as a guide and is sure his team-mates will rally round as well in a bid to smooth the rough edges from Balotelli's game that are hindering his undoubted talent.[LNB] Confrontation: A shocked onlooker snapped this picture of Mario Balotelli confronting fans after City's Europa League loss[LNB] 'We are there to help him, not to criticise him or blast him away,' he said.[LNB]'He is still a young lad and has to learn.[LNB]'But he has experienced guys around him and has to listen to them.[LNB] Disappointed: De Jong reacts as Manchester City crash out of the Europa League[LNB]'After the game he was angry and he was disappointed[LNB]'Sometimes you make mistakes and Mario made his mistake. But he will get everything straight again.'[LNB] Balotelli 'confronts Dynamo Kiev fans' after Man City crash out of EuropeMario Balotelli video: See Manchester City striker in a bib of botherMan City 1 Kiev 0 (agg 1-2): Balotelli sees red as Mancini's men crash outAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Roberto Mancini, Mario Balotelli
