Mario Balotelli Backheel Flub Ends in Substitution for City: Video

In Sunday’s preseason friendly between Manchester City and LA Galaxy, with City in the lead 1-0, star striker Mario Balotelli was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. All that was needed was a simple tap-in and it would have been 2-0 to the Premier League side. But Balotelli never does things easy, so he created a lovely backheel and knocked the ball toward goal. Except he missed the mark and it ended as a goal kick for the MLS side.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was so enraged by Balotelli’s indiscretion that he immediately substituted the Italian striker and gave him a mouthful when he came off to the side of the pitch.

But what do you think? Did Mancini overreact? Obviously Balotelli was just trying to have some fun and was doing some showboating skills. City went on to draw the meaningless match 1-1 (and won on penalty kicks). Or did Balotelli overstep his boundaries and should have given LA Galaxy more respect by trying to score instead of entertaining himself (and the crowd)?

Share your opinion in the comments section below.