Mario Balotelli hits beautiful free-kick goal in AC Milan win
ROME -- Mario Balotelli broke out of his scoring slump with a beautiful free kick and AC Milan held on for a 3-2 win over Udinese in Serie A on Tuesday.
Starting for the first time since rejoining Milan on loan after a dismal season at Liverpool, Balotelli curled the ball into the top corner after five minutes. The temperamental striker let out a rare celebratory smile as he was mobbed by his teammates.
Asked about the rare smile, Balotelli said: ''I'm always the same. In the changing room and in life I'm a completely different person from the one described for years (by others).''
Having scored only one goal in the Premier League last season, Balotelli is looking to revive his career and regain his place in Italy's squad for next year's European Championship.
Giacomo Bonaventura doubled the lead five minutes after Balotelli's opener and Cristian Zapata added another for the visitors in first-half added time.
Emmanuel Badu and Duvan Zapata scored for Udinese early in the second half.
Milan moved level third with Fiorentina, three points behind leader Inter Milan, which beat the Rossoneri 1-0 in the Milan derby nine days earlier.
Having lost four straight matches after stunning four-time defending champion Juventus 1-0 in its opener, Udinese remained near the bottom with just three points.
On Wednesday, Inter aims to extend its perfect record against Hellas Verona at the San Siro, Juventus hosts last-place Frosinone and title challenger Roma visits Sampdoria.
In Udine, Balotelli got his first start since a match in April against Hull City and his first league goal since February in Liverpool's 3-2 win over Tottenham.
"Balotelli is back!" - @FinallyMario shows @LFC fans what they're missing with a superb free-kick for @acmilan http://t.co/nLb4N4G0TY
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) September 22, 2015
Balotelli had already showed signs of a revival when he came off the bench and hit the post in the derby and he now appears to have solidified his place in Milan's attack alongside either Carlos Bacca or Luiz Adriano - both also new signings.
Including his first spell with Milan, Balotelli has scored 18 of his 27 goals with the Rossoneri from dead ball opportunities.
Milan captain Riccardo Montolivo set up the second goal with a long vertical pass, which Bonaventura controlled well with his chest then fired in with his next touch.
Cristian Zapata scored with a long, difficult off-balance header following a corner, managing to find the target even with his momentum carrying him away from the goal.
As impressive as the first half was for Milan, the second period was a near disaster.
Badu's goal came from the center of the area and Duvan Zapata redirected a cross in by the far post as Milan's defense left open some gaping holes.
Udinese also had chances late to equalize, but the pressure fizzled out after midfielder Bruno Fernandes picked up his second yellow in added time.
