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Milan - "Mom, I'm doing an interview with Gazzetta, I'll talk to you later."  Mario on the phone is docile.  Mamma Silvia was waiting for lunch in Brescia but he was still in Milan and she is impatient.  "See you at dinner then, come on.  Come."  These are the last days of relaxation because Manchester is waiting for him tomorrow to resume training after the red card with Arsenal.  And Balotelli knows that he cannot do anything wrong anymore.  Now there is even a story that he wants to consult a psychologist.  "I believe that psychologists are important.  Sometimes, they can be very useful for their help but I don't need it.  No thank you."

Why?  Were you looking for one?
"Why? Every day there is always exaggerated things said about me.  Good thing I do not read the newspapers..."

Referring to the tabloids?
"Not only them.  Last week, Mancini said that I played well and I could give more.  All right.  They wrote that I did not give my maximum efforts.  I want a stop because of some reported news without being verified."

In what sense?

"I ask to be judged for what I do on the field.  I am a shy guy and above all, simple.  I like to have fun with my friends and I try not to bother anyone."

But not always like that.

"I believe that is a lot of exasperation against me.  Sometimes they could be bad when I am with family or friends and someone asks me for an autograph.  They can view me as arrogant but I'm just asking for a little bit of privacy."

How is England?

"Actually I don't go out much.  At most I go out to eat at a Chinese restaurant.  Now this is my passion, I do not eat Italian food anymore."

You don't miss Italy?

"No that is not it.  Playing in the Premier League is an experience that is helping me a lot.  Under all points of view.  Before when i was at Inter, I called my mother to solve every little problems.  Now I have to do it myself."

So is this the growing process?
"First I need to improve as a player.  Especially for the behavior on the field but also from the tactical point of view.  I'm trying to use my left foot also."

Who are you learning it from?
"I am fortunate to be working with Mancini, one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best."

And then?

"My point of reference is Tevez.  I am learning from him to always give my best every day.  Carlitos is a special player.  In this sense, I can say that he is similar to Ibra."

He also had problems with Mancio.

"All I know is that I'm very pleased now that he is back."

If Tevez leaves, where would it be a better fit for him: Inter or Milan?

"To me, he is good at Manchester City."

Have you clarified with Prandelli?

"Of course.  We talked.  He repeated to me to pay attention to the ethics code and I assured him not just about this."

What else?

"Before, I always thought about myself but after the red against Arsenal, I now realize how important it is to worry about my teammates as well.  I cannot leave them in ten men."

In the view of the European Championship, a yellow can have a major impact.

"Exactly.  I will do play with more attention.  I know I have to improve from this point of view."

The foul on Song could have been prevented?

"I will always give the maximum.  But it is also true that there are some fouls that can make the positive things that I have done go unnoticed."

Talk to Prandelli again?

"For me the national team is the most important team in the world.  It is the first club that I would play for.  So I hope to be there in Poland."

What links you so close to the Italian shirt?

"I have always played in it since I was young.  But in these years it is the enthusiasm given to me from the fans.  Even in England, I have gotten a lot of encouragement from the Italians that I have met.  I do not want to disappoint them."

What about with Mancini?

"It is well.  After my last red card, he feared of a max suspension.  But we are clear now and I know he believes in me.  Just like always."

The future?

"Now I only think about winning the title because I am sure that United will have missteps.  Certainly in the match with us, then, who knows."

In Italy, a Milan derby for you is ready.

"But why do you always ask about Inter and Milan? I am at City and have no intention of changing shirt."

That trip to Appiano...

"I want to clarify something.  That day I was passing by by accident.  I stopped to greet my old friends.  Then they forced me to greet Stramaccioni during the press conference."

Moratti always speaks well of you.

"It makes me happy.  He has known me since I was 15.  I thank him for the appreciation but I am now at Manchester City and I see no other possibility."

Same goes for Milan?

"As I said."

Who will win the Scudetto?

"It's all very well balanced but to be honest, I'm not following the league that much.  I have only seen Milan-Juventus."

And how the Champions League will end?

"Barcelona must pay close attention to Chelsea.  Everybody in the semifinals is the strongest so everything is very balanced."

If there is the final of Real-Barcelona, who would you root for?

"Messi is a phenomenon, a genius like Maradona but I have a soft spot for Cristiano Ronaldo because of his physicality and he knows how to play for the team."

Friends among players?

"I often hear from Materazzi with whom I remain on good terms.  I also talk to David Beckham sometimes.  I met him in Los Angeles during our training camp and have been in touch since."

What about with the Azzurri?

"I called Cassano when he made his comeback.  I am very pleased that he may even be there for Euro.  I would be very happy for him.  Fantantonio is class and a champion.  I want to clarify though that I am not posing problems.  I would be happy with Prandelli's decisions."

Giuseppe Rossi was unlucky.

"I am very sorry for him.  We will miss his talent but he is also a great person.  I hope to see him again soon."

The death of Morosini has shocked everyone.

"I am still disbelief.  A bad end for a guy whom I had the pleasure of meeting with the U-21 team.  I was the youngest of the group but he made a great impression.  It is a great sadness.  As like said, events like these make you think."

Do these stories make you afraid going on the field?

"For sure but I just want to return to the field as soon as possible.  To win.  So far in my career, I have been lucky enough to win at least one title per season."

This time with whom?

"With City.  And with the Azzurri.  Why not? But do not ask me to speak more in the coming months.  Now I only think of doing."

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport