Things get heated between Mancini and Balotelli

The strained relationship between Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini and striker Mario Balotelli has taken another turn, as the pair exchanged angry words at the club’s training ground.

The Italy international forward was fined a week’s wages earlier this month after he visiting a strip club 36 hours before the side’s fixture with Bolton, and has had an up and down time in England since moving from Inter in August 2010.

The Telegraph report that Mancini berated the attacker due to a lack of effort in team training on Wednesday, with coach Attilio Lombardo urging Balotelli to train elsewhere to avoid the volley of abuse.

City have dismissed the incident as part and parcel of football and Mancini’s drive for high standards, however with the team’s performances not up to usual calibre in recent weeks, the pair’s relationship looks strained.