Inter Milan coach Jose' Mourinho on Friday slammed 19-year-old striker Mario Balotelli for patchy form allegedly linked to immaturity. ''Players of that age were men 20 years ago. Today finding an exception is a miracle,'' said Mourinho, who claimed the majority of today's young players were too interested in a flashy lifestyle and fast cars. However, he blamed ''the people who hang around young players'' for being bad influences on them. ''They (the players) are more victims than culprits,'' he said.

Balotelli scored a superb goal in Inter's 5-0 win at Genoa last weekend but was left out of the 2-2 Champions League draw with Dynamo Kiev Tuesday where veteran central defender Marco Materazzi came on late as centre-forward. The Italy Under-21 striker had a poor week in training, Mourinho said. ''Balotelli had a great game at Marassi but then he trained very badly'', said the ex-Chelsea coach ahead of Saturday's match where the Serie A leaders host 15th-placed Catania.

The Inter striker was linked to Arsenal on Friday amid reports he has slipped down the Nerazzurri pecking order behind Diego Milito, Samuel Eto'o and David Suazo. Arsenal are reportedly ready to fork out 20 million pounds ($33 million) for him in the January transfer window, The Sun newspaper said. Balotelli appeared to have settled down at the San Siro this season after on-field gestures, some caused by racist chants, that have sometimes cost him bans. Despite his past tantrums, some pundits think he has a slim chance of getting into Marcello Lippi's World Cup squad.