Balotelli slams Lazio fans as racist abuse overshadows his feat of scoring first Serie A goal of both 2020s and 2010s
MARIO BALOTELLI achieved a unique feat by scoring Serie A’s first goal of the decade AGAIN – but the incredible feat was overshadowed by yet more racist abuse.
Italian football’s summer break ended with Brescia’s game against Lazio, which saw the ex-Man City striker net just 18 minutes into the contest.
A ball over the top saw Balotelli roll his man and bury a powerful finish across the goalkeeper to notch Serie A’s first goal of the 2020s having held the same honour for the 2010s.
Balotelli celebrated with his teammates before pointing to his ear and then the crowd, a reaction he later put down to alleged racist abuse.
Claims of monkey noises and other chants have been made against the visiting supporters and the player wrote on Instagram after the game: “Lazio fans that were today at the stadium SHAME ON YOU! #SayNoToRacism.”
It is far from the first instance of abuse in Italy and across Europe this season, the striker on the receiving end on a number of occasions.
A furious Balotelli launched the ball into the Hellas Verona crowd after hearing racist chants against him during a game in November.
And the reaction to that incident was far from satisfactory with Brescia fans tarnishing their man as “arrogant” and the club’s owner stating Balotelli was “working on clearing his name”.
WHY ALWAYS HIM?
The goal echoed his feat ten years ago – almost to the day.
Inter Milan travelled to Chievo on January 6, 2010 with the striker still a fledgling prospect playing under Jose Mourinho.
In the 12th minute, Balotelli was set free down the right and had an effort saved before turning the rebound home – the ball only passing the line by an inch before being cleared.
While that Inter team went on to win the Scudetto, the 29-year-old’s Brescia side are struggling down the opposite end of the table.
Despite Balotelli putting his hometown team in front, they were soon reduced to ten men and Lazio star Ciro Immobile notched a brace for a 2-1 comeback victory.
It left Brescia stuck inside the relegation zone with the forward only managing five goals since arriving in the summer.
In fact, he may not be sticking around in Lombardy for long with Galatasaray reportedly considering a January swoop for a player available for free.