The threat of Italy striker Mario Balotelli and the propsect of an unprecedented treble occupied Spain's Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Ramos before Sunday's Euro 2012 final but neither thought those obstacles too big to overcome.
The threat of Italy striker Mario Balotelli and the propsect of an unprecedented treble occupied Spain's Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Ramos before Sunday's Euro 2012 final but neither thought those obstacles too big to overcome.
Italy forward Mario Balotelli scored two superb first-half goals to steer his team to a 2-1 victory over favourites Germany on Thursday and into the Euro 2012 final where they will meet holders Spain.
Italy extended their remarkable stranglehold on Germany when two superb first-half goals by Mario Balotelli gave them a 2-1 win in an excellent Euro 2012 semi-final on Thursday and a place in Sunday's final against Spain.
UEFA president Michel Platini has warned players they would be booked if they walked off the pitch for being racially abused at Euro 2012 and they should instead talk to the referee who can decide whether to stop the game.
Italy striker Mario Balotelli said he would "kill" anyone who threw a banana at him in the street during the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine next month.
Big-spending Manchester City opened the Premier League title door to Manchester United ahead of the Old Trafford's team visit to Blackburn Rovers on Monday after being held to a 3-3 home draw by Sunderland.
Manchester City salvaged a point with two late goals to draw 3-3 with Sunderland on Saturday but the result helped tip the balance in the Premier League title race more in Manchester United's favour.
Manchester City and Italy striker Mario Balotelli needs surgery on a minor eye condition, first team coach David Platt said.
Manchester City raced five points clear in the league with a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday while Chelsea's woes under Andre Villas-Boas continued after a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.
Premier league Leaders Manchester City piled the pressure on Manchester United with a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday to move five points clear of their neighbours.
Juventus and Inter, who have 42 points each from 17 games, both play on Monday while Lazio, with 39 from 17, have an outstanding fixture at home to Verona to come in early February.
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been charged with violent conduct following an incident in Sunday's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur, the FA said Monday.
Mario Balotelli's stoppage-time penalty lifted Premier League leaders Manchester City to a dramatic 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United remained snapping at their heels with a 2-1 victory at Arsenal on Sunday.
Mario Balotelli has grown up and is no longer like Peter Pan, the Italian striker told a news conference on Saturday ahead of Italy's Euro 2012 quarter-final against England.
Holders Spain and former champions Italy made it through to the last eight of Euro 2012 in contrasting fashion on Monday.
Frank Lampard came off the bench to convert a late penalty as Chelsea beat Manchester City 2-1 on Monday to inflict the Premier League leaders' first defeat of the season and lift themselves back into title contention
Mario Balotelli can be one of the world's top three players if he can cut out his eccentric behaviour, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said after the striker's two goals inspired Sunday's 6-1 rout of Manchester United.
Giampaolo Pazzini's double helped AC Milan take third place in Serie A with a 3-0 home victory over 10-man Lazio at the San Siro on Saturday.
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli escaped unhurt from a car accident in Manchester on Thursday with the striker having received the backing of his manager Roberto Mancini.
Manchester City's tough week ended on a high note on Saturday when they won 4-0 at Blackburn Rovers to maintain their unbeaten start in the Premier League and stay level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table.
Debutant Owen Hargreaves scored his first goal for more than three years and Mario Balotelli grabbed his first of the season as Manchester City beat holders Birmingham City 2-0 in a League Cup third round tie at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Tottenham Hotspur have signed Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor on a season-long loan from Premier League rivals Manchester City, the London club said on Thursday.
Phil Jagielka's stoppage-time thunderbolt earned Everton an unlikely 1-1 draw in the 223rd Merseyside derby on Saturday after Steven Gerrard's free kick appeared to have secured Liverpool a welcome victory.
Images from the EPL matches played on the weekend.
Manchester City failed to win in the Premier League for only the second time in 13 matches this season when they drew 1-1 at Liverpool on Sunday and finished with 10 men after substitute Mario Balotelli was sent off for two yellow cards.
Images from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday.
Free-scoring Manchester City maintained their grip at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 home win over Newcastle United on Saturday to take their goals tally to 42 from 12 games.
Mario Balotelli is not mad and does not miss playing in Serie A, the eccentric Italy and Manchester City forward said on Wednesday.
Manchester City humbled their neighbours United by beating them 6-1 and Levante still lead in Spain where European champions Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by Sevilla.
Manchester City crushed Manchester United 6-1 for their biggest win at Old Trafford for 56 years to go five points clear of the champions at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.
Manchester City went top of the Premier League when they beat Aston Villa 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday after Manchester United dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
Manchester City went top of the Premier League when they beat Aston Villa 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday after Manchester United dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool. City won with goals from Mario Balotelli, Adam Johnson, Vincent Kompany and James Milner against his former club and moved on to 22 points from their eight matches, two points clear of United who are on 20.
Manchester City went top of the Premier League, at least until Manchester United play at Stoke City later on Saturday, when they beat Everton 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium with goals from second-half substitutes Mario Balotelli and James Milner.
Manchester City went top of the Premier League, at least until Manchester United play at Stoke City later on Saturday, when they beat Everton 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium with goals from second-half substitutes Mario Balotelli and James Milner.
Manchester City went top of the Premier League, at least until Manchester United play at Stoke City later on Saturday, when they beat Everton 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium with goals from second-half substitutes Mario Balotelli and James Milner.
If Manchester City really are ready to challenge the Manchester United/Chelsea Premier League hegemony then Wednesday's derby at Eastlands is the time to prove it.
Mario Balotelli could return for Liverpool at Manchester United this weekend having returned to training after missing a month with a thigh injury, manager Brendan Rodgers said on Friday.
The Italian government and the Italian football federation is of the belief that a match should be suspended immediately after a racist chant is heard.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has said that he has no regrets about missing out on Fernando Torres, as new signing Mario Balotelli is even better than the Spanish striker.