Roberto Mancini insists Mario Balotelli just needed a game after playing him in Manchester City's U21s earlier this week.
The 22-year old striker scored two goals in Monday's win over Blackburn Rovers with Mancini quizzed why the Italy international was dropped to the youth team.
Mancini said: "He went with the Under-21s because he needed a game.
"After 40 days without a game, he needed one game. He trained well and I hope this year will be different."
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