Mario Balotelli: I always put the effort in for Italy and Man City

Mario Balotelli has insisted he always puts works hard for Italy and Manchester City after he helped the Azzurri to a 3-1 victory over Denmark on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old created Riccardo Montolivo’s opener before the former Internazionale forward completed a win for 10-man Italy with a 54th-minute strike, with the City forward’s performance earning a standing ovation from the San Siro.

“I hoped to win this match. Denmark scored just before the break and things got rather complicated, but it was good to score tonight,” he told RAI Sport.

“Even when training the other day I said San Siro was in my view the most wonderful stadium in the world. It gives you extraordinary emotions.

“English stadiums have a different atmosphere, but if San Siro had been full then it would’ve been even better tonight.

“Both with Italy and City, I have always put the effort in and am improving in terms of my work rate. I have had this humility for a while and can continue to have it without problems.”

Balotelli clashed with Liverpool defender Daniel Agger during the 2014 World Cup qualifier, but the City star insisted he has no issue with the Denmark captain.

“I have absolutely no problem with Agger, but in the first half he did a nasty tackle on Andrea Pirlo and I got angry. These things happen on the field, and off it we’re all friends,” he added.

“Do I need to get fired up? No, I just need great teammates. I get on very well with Osvaldo in attack and when I was left alone all the balls coming forward came to me, so it was different.”

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Read more on: daniel agger, denmark, italy, Manchester City, Mario Balotelli.