Football
ESPN staff 9y

Mario Balotelli scores, assists in AC Milan friendly against Mantova

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli declared himself in good shape after scoring and providing an assist in a 3-2 friendly win against lower-tier Italian side Mantova, but his manager tempered the former Italy international's enthusiasm after the match.

Balotelli, who made a £16 million move from Milan to Liverpool last summer, rejoined the Rossoneri on a season-long loan last week, and pronounced himself pleased with his debut performance on Thursday.

"I have always been in good shape and put in the maximum effort like everyone," Balotelli told Premium Sport at half-time.

"I am happy to have scored a goal and provided an assist. I want to win this game, because I don't like losing."

Milan boss Sinisa Mihajlovic, however, wasn't as thrilled with his new recruit's conditioning and charged the former Italy international to improve.

"We played against a Serie C side. He is not in good shape and has to improve, just like all the others."

Mantova were up 2-1 at half-time before the Serie A club came storming back. But the fightback didn't sit well with Mihajlovic.

"If we think that we can win just because we are called Milan, then we're going nowhere," the coach fumed.

"It was a game we needed to get minutes in our legs, but when someone doesn't play, they can't complain, because this performance is why they don't play.

"I have doubts in every area of the team. We have no excuses. Today those who haven't played much were given a chance and they showed why they are reserves."

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