@FootynewsThe sheer absurdity of trying to manage Mario Balotelli during a Champions League match comes alive when you look at what José Mourinho had to deal with. With Milito and Eto'o out injured, the entire attacking burden fell on Balotelli alone. After picking up a yellow card in the first half, Mourinho locked him in the locker room for 14 of the final 15 minutes just to beg him not to get sent off. The instructions were crystal clear: do not react, do not contest any balls, just play the game. And yet, despite that desperate warning session, Balotelli still managed to get his marching orders in the 46th minute. Mourinho later joked he could write a 200-page book about this situation, but it wouldn't be a drama, it would be pure comedy.

@FootynewsThe sheer absurdity of trying to manage Mario Balotelli during a Champions League match comes alive when you look at what José Mourinho had to deal with. With Milito and Eto'o out injured, the entire attacking burden fell on Balotelli alone. After picking up a yellow card in the first half, Mourinho locked him in the locker room for 14 of the final 15 minutes just to beg him not to get sent off. The instructions were crystal clear: do not react, do not contest any balls, just play the game. And yet, despite that desperate warning session, Balotelli still managed to get his marching orders in the 46th minute. Mourinho later joked he could write a 200-page book about this situation, but it wouldn't be a drama, it would be pure comedy.