Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists the reporting of his clash with Mario Balotelli has been overblown.

Mancini claims the photos of the row make the incident look far worse than it actually was.

He recalled: "We were playing a game and Mario kicked his team-mate and I said to him: 'Go inside, leave the pitch'.

"He said 'no', and I take his shirt, I push him off the pitch. This is what really happened. There is no fight.

"Did I lose my temper? For two seconds, yes. Because he didn't want to leave the pitch and he should leave. This is a thing that can happen. Usually it happens between two players but this was different.

"I wanted him to leave the pitch after what he did to another player.

"Mario is like this but my thoughts don't change. This is not important."