Rome - Mario Balotelli can look to playing a relaxed away game when Inter Milan tackle European champions Barcelona Tuesday in a high-class Champions League match. Often since his debut in the Serie A at age 17, the towering, talented, but at times inconsistent 19-year-old has been the target of racist slurs and chants from opposing supporters.
If Jose Mourinho chooses to field him at the Camp Nou, it is unlikely that the civilized Barca fans will display the same racist attitude that has become a shameful habit in several Italian stadiums.
As many pundits in Italy keep denying the evidence, there was a chilling sample of racism at the weekend in Turin, where Juventus fans chanted anti-Balotelli slogans during a home game against Udinese - two weeks ahead of Inter's visit at the Stadio Olimpico.
To give a whole picture, and without lowering the guard against racism, it must be said that Balotelli's behaviour on the pitch is likely to favour the imbecile behaviour of some fans as he often lacks self-control and shows little respect to opponents.
What he certainly doesn't lack is pride and guts, as when in February he yelled at Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or Cristiano Ronaldo after a rough clash.
Also typical, and, in a way, only human, is his turning to those who have booed him from the stands, ordering them to shut up with a finger to his lips - he did it Saturday in Bologna after scoring Inter's second goal in a 3-1 win.
"I think it's time to stop it, both if it's against Balotelli or any other player of any colour," said Juve coach Ciro Ferrara. "I have the impression, however, that it will be a tough battle."
Balotelli, who was born in Italy and raised by a Brescia family after his Ghanaian parents abandoned him, has to fight a hard battle within himself to fully develop his impressive potential.
His tantrums are still a problem for whoever coaches him as he has already lined up a good number of red cards despite his age - the latest being the one with Italy's youth team.
As football buffs hope that he grows up without getting himself in trouble on and off the pitch - he is known for his love of fast cars - Balotelli can find valid support from coach Mourinho.
In a typical overflow of his extra-large ego, Mourinho last week warned psychology experts that no one could handle Balotelli's character better than him.
"I am better than psychologists," he said. "They have a theoretical knowledge, I have the practical one of someone who has been coaching all his life."
Despite his self-assigned merits, Mourinho seems to have taken an obvious tack in dealing with his young star.
He, for instance, scolded the striker for his dismal game as Inter drew 1-1 against Roma two weeks ago, but has never neglected to compliment him for his good showings.
At the weekend, the coach wisely pulled him out after the break "because he was already booked. He is not one who knows how to restrain himself and I didn't want him to be dismissed."
Balotelli certainly did not like to leave room to star Samuel Eto'o, buthaving played only half game, he has now good chances to cut a good figure in a famed, and fair, stadium.
