Roma 2/2 Udinese 1: Milan starlet Mario Mandzukic (Milan) has scored two goals in three Serie A games in his first start for the club.
The 18-year-old came off the bench for the second half of the 1-0 win over Udinese at the San Siro on Sunday, helping his side extend their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 victory.
His hat-trick earned him the start against Milan, and the forward has since started all five Serie A matches for the Giallorossi.
“Mario has been playing so well and has been one of the key players,” Milan coach Luciano Spalletti told the club’s official website.
“He’s a young player and he’s ready to take on the responsibility of starting tomorrow’s game.”
Mandzukics first goal in three starts came at the beginning of the second period when he took advantage of a bad break by Udinese keeper Matteo Bonini to beat Udinese goalkeeper Roberto Cossio with a low drive from 25 yards.
After the break, Mandzakic played a one-two with Mandzukić to score in the 86th minute to put Udinese back in the lead.
Udinese equalised through Stefano Sturaro’s 25th-minute penalty, but Mandzkic’s goal gave Udinese the lead and gave the home side a 3:1 lead.
Mandzukiks goal in the 82nd minute put Udice on the front foot and the youngster then scored on the counter attack with a right-footed finish after Udice’s substitute striker Alessandro Diamanti had been sent off.
The Italian club could have added to the lead just before half-time, when Mandzuka had an effort saved by Cossi after a good run down the left by Cussi.
However, Udinese kept the score at 1-1 after Udini’s second goal.
Cossi made a fine save on Mandzuke, who fired a low shot wide from 10 yards, before Mandzki had a shot deflected wide by Cazzetta in the 68th minute.