‘Bad boy’ Balotelli rapped

TodayStoke City vs Arsenal 14:20 SS3Liverpool vs Man City 16:30 SS3LONDON – Roberto Mancini wants to see the Mario Balotelli of Euro 2012 back at Manchester City - but is not yet convinced the striker is a changed character.The enigmatic Balotelli has created as many headlines off the field as on it during his two seasons at the Etihad Stadium and shown his undoubted talents only fitfully.But the 22-year-old proved what he can really do with a starring role in Italy’s run to the European Championship final, capped by a superb two-goal display against Germany in the last four.City boss Mancini was impressed but knows it is difficult to replicate the intensity of a short tournament over a nine-month season.Mancini said: ‘The European Championship is like the World Cup. For one month every player does 100 per cent.‘Probably this championship can help him to improve but I don’t think he can change in one month. But Mario is an important player here. I think he can do his job here better but I am sure that he will do.’Due to the European Championship, Balotelli was one of the later players to return for pre-season training.He did not feature in the Community Shield win over Chelsea a fortnight ago and was a substitute as the champions began their Barclays Premier League title defence against Southampton last week.There could be an opportunity for him to return to the side at Liverpool on Sunday, though, following injury to Sergio Aguero.If he is given a start, it will be his first for City since his sending off at Arsenal in April and continue his turnaround since that nadir.