MILAN — Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli gate-crashed new Inter Milan boss Andrea Stramaccioni’s first Press conference, during a surprise visit to his ex-club.
Mario’s antics March 2010: Balotelli angers Inter Milan fans by posing in an AC Milan shirt March 2011: The Italian throws a dart at a Manchester City youth team player May 2011: The striker takes a bullied truant back to school and gives the antagonists a ticking off July 2011: Substituted in a friendly after backheeling wide when through on goal October 2011: Escapes unhurt when a firework is launched inside his home March 2012: Fined one week’s wages by City for breaking curfew March 2012: Gatecrashes new Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni’s first press conference during a surprise visit to the club.
The 21-year-old striker unexpectedly walked in, to laughter from the crowd, and shook hands with Stramaccioni, who exclaimed: “What a surprise!” Balotelli had driven to the Serie A club’s training ground in a Ferrari to greet his former teammates. Stramaccioni took over when Claudio Ranieri was sacked on Monday.
Balotelli entered the press room as Stramaccioni was being formally unveiled as Inter’s new manager. The striker shook his hand and those of other people at the top table before leaving, continuing his reputation for unpredictable antics. Balotelli knows Stramaccioni, who has been promoted from youth team coach, from his time at the club.
Stramaccioni led the youth side to a win over Ajax in the NextGen Series final — an international tournament for youth teams — on Sunday.
Inter Milan dismissed former Chelsea boss Ranieri, who took charge at the San Siro in September last year, after only one win in their last 10 league matches. Following Sunday’s defeat by Juventus, Inter sit eighth in Serie A, 22 points behind their local rivals AC Milan, who top the table. Inter were also knocked out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage by Marseille earlier this month. —BBC Sport
