Milan 1 Napoli 2: Balotelli misses first penalty of his career, scores and then sent off after final whistlePUBLISHED: 20:42 GMT, 22 September 2013 | UPDATED: 21:38 GMT, 22 September 2013
Mario Balotelli missed a penalty for the first time in his career as AC Milan slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Serie A joint leaders Napoli on Sunday.
Balotelli, who had converted all 21 of his previous penalties in official matches, watched his run come to an end when Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina dived low to his right to keep out his effort just after the hour.
In a typically eventful performance, 'Supermario' was also booked, hit the crossbar, had another penalty appeal turned down and brought the game to life with a brilliant stoppage time goal.
He was then sent off after receiving a second booking for arguing with the ref after the final whistle.
Seeing red: Mario Balotelli, left, is restrained by Milan team-mate Marco Amelia after being sent off
AC Milan's forwards Mario Balotelli (2ndL) reacts after receiving a red card
AC Milan's forwards Mario Balotelli (2ndR) argues with the referee Luca Banti (3dL)The defeat, Milan's first at home in the league since November and their first at home to Napoli since April 1986, left the hosts with a miserly four points from four games. Their poor start is almost certain to lead to renewed speculation over the future of coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Napoli, who have won all four Serie A games so far this season, went ahead in the sixth minute through Miguel Britos and Gonzalo Higuain made it 2-0 with a low, 25-metre shot which slipped through Christian Abbiati's hands in the 53rd minute.
Missed: Mario Balotelli missed the first penalty of his career in the 2-0 defeat to Napoli
Combo breaker: Pepe Reina saved Balotelli's penalty, his first miss in 27 attempts
On target: Gonzalo Higuain scored again for his new clubInjury-hit Milan, who scrambled a 2-0 Champions League win over Celtic on Wednesday, produced another disjointed performance but had a golden chance to reduce the arrears when Balotelli was fouled in the area, only for Reina to save the penalty.
Balotelli, 23, then smashed another effort against the crossbar after a one-two with Alessandro Matri, saw a dipping 25-metre effort turned over by Reina and went down again in the area, only for the referee to wave play-on.
But he still gave Milan hope with he curled the ball in from the edge of the area in the 91st minute.
Doubled: Miguel Britos scores Napoli's second goal
Acrobatics: Balotelli attempts an overhead kickRead more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2429467/Milan-1-Napoli-2--match-report-Mario-Balotelli-misses-penalty-career-Benitez-marches-on.html#ixzz2fg6pyY9S[ 此帖被g3rMan在2013-09-23 10:20重新編輯 ]
