Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has hit out at the three-match ban imposed on striker Mario Balotelli.
The Italian forward was absent for City's 0-0 derby draw against local rivals Manchester United
after he was shown a straight red card during his side's 2-0 win at West Brom on Sunday for kicking out at Youssouf Mulumbu. The club's appeal for Balotelli's suspension to be shortened was dismissed by the Football Association, meaning the 20-year-old will also miss City's visit of Birmingham on Saturday and their trip to Fulham the week after.
the week after. Mancini feels the punishment is overly harsh, and admits City missed the young striker at Eastlands on Wednesday evening.
feels the punishment is overly harsh, and admits City missed the young striker at Eastlands on Wednesday evening. "We missed Mario tonight and it was not the correct decision if you watch some other games," said Mancini. "I do not agree with it."
The much-hyped derby was something of an anti-climax, with the disappointing encounter ending in a goalless stalemate.
But Mancini, who deployed captain Carlos Tevez as a lone frontman, insists City were not playing for a draw, and suggested the skipper was feeling the effects of a demanding season.
as a lone frontman, insists City were not playing for a draw, and suggested the skipper was feeling the effects of a demanding season. Important
"Carlos is an important player for us," said Mancini. "He played well against a strong defence."He ran well although he may have been a little tired like some of the other players.
"When you play every three days it is not easy, especially when you have to play a derby game."
Last season's corresponding fixture saw Paul Scholes notch a late winner in injury-time to a seal a 1-0 triumph for United, and Mancini was pleased with his side's clean sheet this time around, praising the work of his players in the middle of the park.
He added: "I thought Nigel de Jong played well, as did Gareth Barry. It was good we did not concede any goals in stoppage-time like we did last season."
It was good we did not concede any goals in stoppage-time like we did last season." 
Posted by Darey
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