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Boateng's Balotelli ding-dong

Image: Jerome Boateng: Failed to settle in Manchester and returned to his native Germany to play for Bayern

Jerome Boateng admits he is looking forward to coming up against his former sparring partner Mario Balotelli.

Germany defender could knock former team-mates out of Europe

Jerome Boateng admits he is looking forward to coming up against his former sparring partner Mario Balotelli. The pair were infamously involved a training ground bust-up and had to be pulled apart by worried team-mates as they clashed. But Boateng played down the scuffle and said that pair became friends after the incident, while also brushing off reports of the Italian striker's wild lifestyle. "It was nothing serious," said Boateng. "That sort of thing happens at every club. It was a short tussle. We shook hands afterwards. "I really like him. I hear a lot of stories about him but I know him better and see it a bit differently." Boateng returns to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night when Manchester City host Bayern Munich in their win-or-bust UEFA Champions League game. The 23-year-old defender found his chances limited under boss Roberto Mancini and left after just one season in a deal worth £12.8million.

Happy

A natural centre-back, the 23-year-old was limited to making a handful of appearances at left-back under the Italian coach. And now he has the chance to dump his former club out of the Champions League and show Mancini what he has missed out on. He said: "Obviously I'm very happy at Bayern. I wouldn't say I regret anything about last season at City. I made a lot of friends and it was a good experience for me. "Obviously I've played at full-back at Bayern too but centre-back is my favourite position. "I've been asked this question a thousand times but I'm happy at the club, and it really doesn't bother me if I'm played at full-back or centre-back. "I wouldn't say they are much different (to last season) but obviously a couple of quality players have been brought in. "Last season they won the FA Cup and this season they are in the running for the title, although they are not doing so well in the Champions League."

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