25 Mar 2011 19:05:00
Mario Balotelli – Manchester City (Getty Images)
Related Links
Teams
Players
EXCLUSIVE
By Giacomo Garbisa
Former defender Pietro Vierchowod has told Mario Balotelli he’s playing in the wrong league if he thinks he will get away with rough and tumble at Manchester City.
Vierchowod, who played for Sampdoria, Roma, AC Milan and Juventus, has told the 20-year-old to calm down after a red card in the Europa League with City cost him his place in the Italian national side.
Speaking to Goal.com, he said: “I think Balotelli has not matured yet.
“He thought he would have more freedom by leaving Serie A, instead in England people don’t get out of line as much. They look at individual behaviour over there and they don’t like diving. You have to be loyal on the pitch, talent alone is not enough.”
AC Milan’s Andrea Pirlo has been linked with a move to the big-spending Premier League outfit, but Vierchowod feels such a move may not take off.
He added: “He is a great player, but you have to look at his physical integrity as the Premier League is very demanding. It’s fast and strong. Maybe he would create good play, but he could struggle physically.”
