Milan: Andrea Belotti hit a stunning early candidate for Serie A’s goal of the season as Torino romped to a 3-0 home win over Sassuolo on Sunday.
Looking for their maiden win of the fledgling season after a 1-1 draw at Bologna, Torino’s Stadio Olimpico erupted in the 44th minute when Belotti hit a magnificent acrobatic strike.
Standing with his back to goal, the 23-year-old raced across the six-yard line to reach a high cross delivered from deep on the right by Lorenzo De Silvestri.
Belotti leapt nearly two metres into the air and, somehow, beat a rooted Andrea Consigli with a right-footed volley that landed inside the keeper’s far post.
“The ‘Gallo’ scored a marvellous goal,” said De Silvestri, referring to the ‘Gallo’ (Rooster) nickname of Belotti, who celebrates his goals by holding his hand to his forehead.
“He knows what he has to do. He’s an extraordinary player.”
It took Torino, who finished out the European places last season, until six minutes from time to wrap up the points, Adem Ljajic hitting his second of the season, following his leveller last week, from Iago Falque’s unselfish pass inside the area.
Joel Obi grabbed Torino’s third only minutes later after he escaped being substituted by Sinisa Mihajlovic when the coach’s assistants mistakenly informed officials to take off Tomas Rincon.
