Balotelli overshadowed by another Mario in Brescia loss

Posted November 30, 2019 6:00 am

The Associated Press

ROME (AP) - Mario Balotelli showed flashes of form as he returned to Brescia's lineup after sitting out a game due to disciplinary reasons. But it was another Mario who made the biggest impact in a regional Serie A derby with Atalanta on Saturday.

Mario PaÅ¡aliÄ‡ scored either side of halftime and Atalanta won 3-0 to remain in contention to keep its spot in the Champions League.

Balotelli hit the post early in the second half and also had several other chances.

Still, last-place Brescia lost its sixth straight and 10th in 13 matches this season.

Atalanta moved level on points with fourth-place Cagliari and fifth-place Roma - with the top four finishers qualifying for the Champions League.

PaÅ¡aliÄ‡ was left unmarked to head in Brescia's opener and then scored his second with a slick backheel flick from close range.

Josip IliÄiÄ‡ scored Atalanta's third by finishing off a counterattack in added time.

PaÅ¡aliÄ‡ also hit the post, as did teammate Ruslan Malinovskyi.

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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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