MAN LOVE ... Bell talks tactic with pal
Roberto
ROBERTO MANCINI dropped Craig Bellamy to the Manchester
City bench but insisted: He is my friend.
Bellamy was furious at the sacking of former boss Mark
Hughes and has been linked with a move away from Eastlands.
The fiery Welshman appeared to have paid the price for
speaking out with Mancini axing him from the starting XI.
But the Italian reckons the pair are still chummy.
He said: "Bellamy is my friend.
"There is no problem. I spoke with him two days ago. He
understood when I told him he wasn't starting.
"We have two games in three days and I need all the
players at 100%."
The City faithful erupted when Bellamy was introduced —
at the expense of £32.5million man Robinho.
But Mancini shrugged off claims the Brazilian had been
below par.
He added "He played well. But after 65 minutes he was
tired and I needed to make a change."