Mario Balotelli's new superderby look is a blond crest. Discounted the suspension for the expulsion remedied in the match against Arsenal, iThe bad boy so loved by the press and fans (except the opposing ones, of course) is once again available to Roberto Mancini for a match that is worth a lot for the future of the two Italians, but above all for the history of Manchester City, which by winning against their cousins United would grab first place (on equal points but thanks to the better goal difference) and would set out to conquer of the third title in its history, the first since the distant 1968.
It seems like an eternity has passed since that 6-1 tennis first leg, on 23 October 2011, when the citizens imposed themselves with a historic score and moreover on the pitch of their rivals, the almost inviolable Old Trafford. Since then, however, City, which after that triumph had the Premier League almost in hand, were first reached and then surpassed by Sir Alex Ferguson's timeless Manchester United, who despite a technically downsized team compared to the recent past, even reached 8 point lead.
It happened three weeks ago, precisely on the day of Balotelli's madness, who by getting expelled from the Emirates contributed to the fall of his team against Arsenal. But then, when all seemed lost, and the exemption at the end of the season was getting closer and closer for Mancini (who, however, the fans adore and would like to keep regardless of how the title race ends), two missteps by the Red Devils brought the boys paid by Sheik Mansour to just 3 points from the top.
Victory in tonight's superderby therefore, with the possibility of playing it within the friendly walls of the City of Manchester Stadium, would bring the two teams into perfect parity with two games to play. However, parity would reward Mancini, by virtue of a better goal difference and now difficult to overturn. A feat will be needed, and the key man could be not only Balotelli (author of a brace in the first leg) but also the revived Carlos Tevez, who instead was absent in the first leg and for almost the entire season following misunderstandings with the coach from the Marches which may, in hindsight, have compromised the Blues' vintage.
It will take a company, but not only that. Even winning with the hated cousins, the calendar of the last two days presents some more pitfalls for Aguero and his companions, who will go away to Newcastle in the next round, back from 6 wins in the last 7 games and very keen to conquer a Champions place. Pure formality instead the commitments of the Reds against Swansea and Sunderland.
