Wednesday, July 9, 2025
spot_img

Balotelli scores first Brescia goal in defeat to Napoli

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

Milan: Mario Balotelli scored his first goal for new club Brescia but the promoted northerners still fell to a 2-1 defeat to Napoli in Serie A action on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Italian international headed in after 67 minutes in his second match for his hometown club having missed four games because of a ban he incurred with former club Marseille. First-half goals by Dries Mertens and Kostas Manolas ensured Napoli took all three points after their midweek loss to Cagliari, to boost confidence ahead of their Champions League trip to Belgian club Genk. Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli stay fourth with 12 points from six games, six behind league leaders Inter Milan who beat Sampdoria 3-1 on Saturday. Inter have a maximum 18 points from six games — two ahead of Juve — after winning their first six league matches for the first time since the 1966-67 season. Juventus beat SPAL 2-0 to stay second with Atalanta third — a point ahead of Napoli — after thrashing Sassuolo 4-1 on Saturday. Balotelli carried his daughter Pia, who lives in Naples with her mother and was decked out in the Napoli colours, onto the pitch at the San Paolo Stadium. The home side were without Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly who has been given a two-match ban for his red card in the Cagliari game. Ancelotti’s side went ahead after 13 minutes. Mertens connected with a Jose Callejon cross to blast in his 114th goal in a Napoli jersey — one shy of Argentine legend Diego Maradona’s total from 1984 to 1991. (AFP)

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Israeli army says troops destroy Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon

Jerusalem, July 9: The Israeli military said on Wednesday it completed "targeted operations" in southern Lebanon to destroy...

Defence to critical minerals, India and Namibia solidify ties across key sectors during PM Modi’s visit

Windhoek, July 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Wednesday reviewed the full range...

Barring West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, nationwide strikes by Trade Unions remain peaceful

New Delhi, July 9: A nationwide strike gripped India on Wednesday, as more than ten central Trade Unions,...

Over 1,000 Maoists surrender under ‘Lon Varratu’ drive as 12 more Maoists lay down arms in Chhatisgarh’s Dantewada

Dantewada, July 9: In a landmark achievement for Chhattisgarh's counter-insurgency and rehabilitation efforts, the Dantewada police have claimed...