MAD MARIO! Balotelli punches team-mate after being substituted

MARIO BALOTELLI'S team-mate must have been thinking 'why always me?' after being PUNCHED on the bench by the maverick striker.

The unfortunate player happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time on Friday night.

Balotelli was in action for Adana Demirspor, leading the line as the Turkish side's new No9.

But with 56 minutes on the clock, manager Samet Aybaba decided to change things up and took off Balotelli.

Needless to say, the Italian was not best pleased.

And after furiously throwing down his socks and shin pads, Balotelli shouted angrily, gesticulating with his arms in a wild rage.

As his pal watched on, Balotelli then turned to him and landed a right hook on his shoulder.

In fairness to his team-mate, he did not react as the petulance continued in the dugout.

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But despite the ex-Manchester City man's reaction, it appeared to be a masterstroke from Aybaba.

Because just three minutes later, Adana took the lead as former Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga opened the scoring.

It looked as though the goal would secure his side's first win of the season - but Konyaspor equalised seven minutes from time.

Balotelli completed a free transfer to newly-promoted Demispor this summer following his release from Italian Serie B side Monza.

The 31-year-old put pen to paper on a three-year contract in Turkey and was mobbed by adoring fans upon his arrival.

He joined up with a few familiar names at Adana, where he is still looking for his first goal.

As well as Assombalonga, Leicester City Premier League winner Gokhan Inler, Spurs flop Benjamin Stambouli and Moroccan ace Younes Belhanda all ply their trade with the Blue Lightnings.