Mario Balotelli scores his first goal in five months as he captains FC Sion to win over Grasshoppers
MARIO BALOTELLI bagged his first goal in five months as he captained FC Sion to a 3-1 win over Grasshoppers at the weekend.
The Italian moved to the Swiss side last summer after leaving Turkish outfit Adana Demirspor.
Balotelli, 32, made a bright start to life at his new club, bagging four goals in his first six Swiss Super League matches.
His goals soon dried up, however, and prior to Sunday he hadn’t scored since November 12.
In that time he has become Sion captain, sharing his experience with his younger team-mates.
And on Sunday he produced a huge display as his side battle against relegation.
Grasshoppers started the better side, creating some gilt-edged chances but failing to capitalise.
The match then swung on a moment of controversy.
Former Wolves and Bayern Munich ace Meritan Shabani was initially booked after catching his opponent with a high boot.
The decision was changed following a VAR check, with the yellow card upgraded to red.
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Balotelli produced a moment of class on the stroke of half-time, out-muscling defender Noah Loosly before launching a perfect shot into the bottom corner of the net.
The beaming former Manchester City and Liverpool striker was congratulated by his team-mates after ending his drought.
Giovanni Sio made it 2-0 moments after the half-time break, although Tomas Ribeiro did pull one back for ten-man Grasshoppers on 63 minutes.
A crucial three points was secured for Sion late on, when Wylan Cyprien scored a bizarre goal.
Sion winger Cleilton Itaitinga twisted inside and out on the edge of the box, only to be tackled.
The ball bizarrely ricocheted into the Brazilian’s face… sending it cannoning towards goal.
It struck the crossbar, falling perfectly for Cyprien to calmly tuck it away.
Sion’s win saw them climb back out of the relegation play-off spot – after Wintherthur had temporarily overtaken them earlier in the day with a 3-2 win at St. Gallen.