Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes opposition players go out of their way to try and upset firebrand striker Mario Balotelli.
The Italian was shown a red card for two bookable offences in Sunday's draw with Liverpool, making it his third since joining City in August 2010, and Mancini feels that sometimes opponents contribute to his poor disciplinary record.
"I think there are players (who go after Balotelli)," Mancini said.
"Mario should pay attention and he should be clever. We can do nothing. Only he is on the pitch, not us. He should just think about football.
"During the game it's difficult (to talk to him). He should not take any risks in these situations.
"He is more mature but it is my opinion that if Mario had stayed on the pitch we could have won that game, with 11 players against 11.
"But when he was sent off we could only draw.
"We can't risk losing the game and it's important that Mario knows we need him as a player on the pitch."
