Mario Balotelli: Watch Liverpool loanee score incredible free-kick for Milan

Balotelli scored his first goal of the season with well-placed free kick in the fifth minute, but admitted his night was far from ideal due to the opposition’s attempts to aggravate him.

AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli, right, celebrates with his Dutch…

Mario Balotelli started for AC Milan in place of Luiz Adriano having passed a late fitness test, so he threatened to add an extra dynamic to the Rossoneri frontline. He really hoped that he would come to Milan.

– Ali A. Al-Habsi (@Inter1812)@DaveOCKOP when are you gonna get that Balotelli could only play well for #acmilan.

Udinese have lost eight of their last 10 Serie A fixtures, winning two in the process. Keisuke Honda set up Carlos Bacca with an intelligent pass, yet the Colombia global hesitated too long and his shot was eventually blocked by Manuel Iturra.

The Italian left the San Siro in August 2014 to link up with Brendan Rodgers’ men at Liverpool, but it was a switch which failed to reap the dividends as Balotelli managed just one league goal under the Northern Irishman.

Emmanuel Badu and Duvan Zapata scored for Udinese early in the second half.

Udinese made the best possible start to the season, seeing off their black & white rivals and reigning champions Juventus 1-0 away from home.

There was no denying Milan in the closing seconds of the first half, though. The defenders beat him up because he’s good, but he scores goals anyway. I have a lot of respect for Udinese and their coach Stefano Colantuono, but at the moment they are under a bit of pressure. There was the sense that Udinese would get one more opportunity in the closing minutes, and it was up to them to take it.

As for the home side, just two goals have fallen their way this season, while five have been conceded.

The result sees Udinese slip into the relegation zone after suffering a fourth consecutive defeat, while Milan climb to fourth in the standings.