AC Milan head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has praised Mario Balotelli following his performance in the club's 3-2 victory over Udinese this evening.

The 25-year-old scored his first goal since returning to the Rossoneri in the summer with a free kick, and his manager has claimed that he was the best player on the pitch at the Stadio Friuli.

"He had an excellent game, holding up the ball and putting up with a lot of fouls, never reacting," Mihajlovic told Sky Sport Italia. "He was always sharp, proved he's back to being the real Balotelli and that he knows how to control the provocation. He was perfect.

"Tonight he was man of the match, both in terms of his moves and his attitude. It's not easy to have the entire crowd against you all the time. I am happy, but it is just the beginning. His talent was never in doubt, it was an issue of the mind. The defenders beat him up because he's good, but he scores goals anyway.

"We talked and I had to look him in the eye to know if what he said was real. So far his behaviour has been perfect and on the field he made the difference tonight. He needs to be consistent, training well, behaving well and playing well. I'll make sure he sticks to the right path."

Balotelli scored 30 goals in 54 appearances during his previous spell in Milan.