KIEV: Italy striker Mario Balotelli (pic) insists he is not mad as he looks to dump England out of Euro 2012 when the two teams clash in the quarter-final tomorrow morning (2:45am), reported The Sun.

The maverick Manchester City striker is set to be back in Italy’s starting line-up for the match in Kiev.

“You’ve all said I had a mental block and that I was struggling but I have no psychological or mental problems at all,” said Balotelli.

On whether this was a chance to show all his critics the real Balotelli, he said: “I don’t think Mario needs to show this to anyone. Those who know me know just what I am like.

“I don’t have to prove anything to the Italians or the English.”

England goalkeeper and City teammate Joe Hart this week said he knows two Balotellis -  the world-class striker who can destroy any team and the crazy man who could get sent off at any moment.

He said: “Lucky Joe, he knows two Marios!”

Only yesterday Balotelli’s agent had compared his volatile client to Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up.

“I could be Peter Pan because I am a bit free and do things my own way - but I am more of a man than Peter Pan," he insisted.

“My agent says these things because he wants to make people laugh but I am a man and that’s it.”

Balotelli was dropped from Italy’s starting line-up for their last group game against the Republic of Ireland but came on to score a late stunner, before launching into a foul-mouthed tirade at the Irish fans booing him.

Even Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has questioned his behaviour and attitude.

But Balotelli insists: “Whether you are on the pitch for 90 minutes or for 20 minutes, you are always going to make mistakes.

“You always get criticism but that’s OK because it helps you to improve.

“Italy have always meant such a lot to me and I was very emotional in the first few games of my first European Championships.

“I might have got a bit worked up because I hadn’t scored, so it was normal to have a reaction.

“But I wasn’t angry and I had no problems on or off the pitch. Contrary to what people have been saying, I don’t have an attitude problem. I have been absolutely fine.”

And the 21-year-old is determined to have the last laugh on his City teammates.

“It’ll be fun to face my club-mates. Do I have a special celebration planned if I score against England? First I have to score. Then you’ll see what I do,” he said.


- mD