Mario Balotelli this up with the opening goal against Everton three days later. On 1 October 2011, he scored his third goal in as many matches in a 4–0 win away to Blackburn Rovers. Balotelli scored the opening two goals and forced the dismissal of Jonny Evans as City defeated Manchester United 6–1 at Old Trafford on 23 October in what would prove to be a decisive game in helping win Manchester City the Premier League title. Balotelli made his UEFA Champions League debut for City on 2 November in the second leg against Villarreal. He scored on a penalty shot near
Mario Balotelli in November 2014 but was unable to make a single appearance for Italy due to injury. After a lackluster season with Milan, he was omitted from Conte's 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016. After Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Balotelli was expected to be called up by caretaker manager Luigi Di Biagio for Italy's March 2018 friendlies, after the replacement of Gian Piero Ventura. However, Balotelli was officially omitted from the squad on 17 March 2018. On 19 May 2018, Balotelli was called-up for the first time since November 2014 by newly appointed manager Roberto Mancini