Mario Balotelli scored a goal of the season contender to secure a 1-0 victory for AC Milan against relegation-threatened Bologna at the San Siro on Friday.
The Rossoneri had the majority of the possession all game long, pushing Davide Ballardini's men back virtually on to the edge of their own area
However, the frustration both in the stands and in the Milan ranks was all too evident as the hosts laboured to break down their relegation-threatened visitors.
The game looked for certain to remain goalless, but a moment of magic worthy of winning any game from Balotelli four minutes from time snatched all three points.
Collecting the ball in the right channel, the Italy forward took a touch before sending a dipping thunderbolt from 43 yards that flew into the far top corner travelling at 91 km/h (56 mph).
"I looked at the goalkeeper and saw he was a little off his line, so I hit it with full force and fortunately it went in," Balotelli told Sky Sport Italia.
"It's a good goal. The coach (Clarence Seedorf) gives me confidence, as I am the one who has to pull the team forward and therefore it's my duty to score these goals."
Seedorf added: "It's the kind of goal Mario knows how to score, as he has these weapons in his armoury.
"The great thing is that the team continues to believe in the result, as you don't score goals like that unless you believe."
"I think this will be considered the goal of the year, as he did it without any run-up and put incredible power behind it," Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani told Milan Channel.
"Balo is a great player and I will re-watch the footage of that marvellous goal all night."
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| AC Milan player Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Bologna Photo: Getty Images |
The Rossoneri had the majority of the possession all game long, pushing Davide Ballardini's men back virtually on to the edge of their own area
However, the frustration both in the stands and in the Milan ranks was all too evident as the hosts laboured to break down their relegation-threatened visitors.
The game looked for certain to remain goalless, but a moment of magic worthy of winning any game from Balotelli four minutes from time snatched all three points.
Collecting the ball in the right channel, the Italy forward took a touch before sending a dipping thunderbolt from 43 yards that flew into the far top corner travelling at 91 km/h (56 mph).
"I looked at the goalkeeper and saw he was a little off his line, so I hit it with full force and fortunately it went in," Balotelli told Sky Sport Italia.
"It's a good goal. The coach (Clarence Seedorf) gives me confidence, as I am the one who has to pull the team forward and therefore it's my duty to score these goals."
Seedorf added: "It's the kind of goal Mario knows how to score, as he has these weapons in his armoury.
"The great thing is that the team continues to believe in the result, as you don't score goals like that unless you believe."
"I think this will be considered the goal of the year, as he did it without any run-up and put incredible power behind it," Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani told Milan Channel.
"Balo is a great player and I will re-watch the footage of that marvellous goal all night."
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