Brescia coach Eugenio Corini praised Mario Balotelli's performance in defeat to Sassuolo last night.

Sassuolo won 2-0 via goals from Hamed Junior Traore and Francesco Caputo.

Corini said of Balotelli: “I think Mario is an important player and naturally we expect around 15 goals from him throughout the season. I always had the sense he has everything it takes to play total football, as he has extraordinary physique and can shoot with both feet.

“Mario is doing well, he doesn't just stand there waiting to receive the ball and he does sacrifice himself for the team. I only substituted him today because he was tired, but this is just the beginning of what can become an extraordinary campaign."

On the game, the coach continued: “We felt the effects of our game with Lecce in the first 20 minutes, but did pile the pressure on after going a goal behind.

“There were several scoring opportunities in the second half, and if we'd equalised, I feel we could've gone on to win it, but Sassuolo got the second goal out of nowhere and that made everything more complicated.

“The team felt very tired towards the end. Gianluca Pegolo did a great job in goal for Sassuolo, while we went very close with Mario Balotelli's header.

“Sassuolo are a quality team, but we could've brought home a different result today."