© EuroFootball.com
Forward Mario Balotelli may have to miss Sunday's English FA Cup quarter-final match against Reading due to an allergic reaction experienced in Kiev during the UEFA Europa League fixture.
The young Italian, who constantly rubbed his face, was forced to leave the field in the 57th minute of the match against Dynamo, which ended in a 2-0 defeat. Before that, the footballer, who cost £24 million, was a little over a minute late for the second half of the game.
"Mario had an allergy," said Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini. "I don't know what it was, I don't know why, but his face was swollen.
He wanted to play in the second half, but the problem arose 10 seconds before leaving the dressing room after half-time.
I went out a minute earlier than the players and didn't see Mario. He claimed he could play, but his face was noticeably swollen."
It turned out that 20-year-old Balotelli is allergic to certain types of grass on the field.
Mancini also did not spare criticism for goalkeeper Joe Hart and defender Micah Richards for the mistakes that led to the goals.
The Italian said: "We played well, but everything changes because of the goals we missed. Normally we are professional and don't concede such goals."
