With the Kolo Toure suspension drawing plenty of attention outside the club, Mancini must now focus his side on the Barclays Premier League encounter with Wigan.
That could mean another opportunity for the unpredictable Balotelli, who has rarely been out of the headlines himself since moving to England from Inter Milan.
As his former boss at the San Siro, Mancini should have known what to expect when he spent ?24million on the 20-year-old.
However, any thoughts the pair have a special relationship can quickly be dismissed.
"He is not listening to me," said Mancini. "I speak but I don't think he listens."
Source: PA
Source: PA