Mario Balotelli scores first goal as AC Milan survive Udinese rally

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:12 am

Mario Balotelli scored his first goal for AC Milan since returning to the club as the Rossoneri edged Udinese 3-2 on Tuesday.

The Italy forward, on a season-long loan from Liverpool, started for the first time since rejoining and had an impact early on at the Friuli stadium.

In the fifth minute, Balotelli was fouled and drilled the resulting free kick into the top-left corner of goal to beat Udinese goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis.

Giacomo Bonaventura doubled Milan's lead five minutes later when he got on to Riccardo Montolivo's pass and struck a diagonal effort from the heart of the area past Karnezis.

On the stroke of half-time, Cristian Zapata headed in a corner past Karnezis for a 3-0 half-time lead.

Mario Balotelli drilled a free kick into Udinese goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis' top corner in the fifth minute.
AP Photo/Paolo Giovannini

Udinese reduced the arrears in the 51st minute.

Substitute Duvan Zapata's cross found an unmarked Emmanuel Badu in the area and he drove the ball towards the far post to beat AC Milan stopper Diego Lopez.

Seven minutes later, Udinese made it 3-2 when Cyril Thereau's cross towards the far post found Zapata, who got the easy tap-in.

Udinese twice had chances to equalise late in the game.

Lopez kept out a long-range attempt from Bruno Fernandes and soon after, Molla Wague headed Antonio Di Natale's cross just inches wide of the far post.

Udinese ended the game with 10 men after Fernandes was shown his second yellow card seconds from time for a foul on Montolivo.

Milan held on for their second straight win and condemned a Udinese side that opened the season with a victory at Juventus to a fourth straight defeat.