Eugenio Corini felt the Mario Balotelli red card was “harsh” and unnecessary after Brescia were held to a 2-2 draw with Cagliari.

Balotelli came off the bench and lasted just seven minutes until his dismissal at the Stadio Rigamonti.

He received a yellow card for a clumsy karate kick on Fabio Pisacane, then immediately a second booking for insulting the referee.

Eugenio Corini felt the Mario Balotelli red card was “harsh” and unnecessary after Brescia were held to a 2-2 draw with Cagliari.

Balotelli came off the bench and lasted just seven minutes until his dismissal at the Stadio Rigamonti.

He received a yellow card for a clumsy karate kick on Fabio Pisacane, then immediately a second booking for insulting the referee.

“It was an unfortunate incident, as we all though the initial yellow card was harsh. He jumped for the ball and didn’t see the defender coming up behind him,” Corini told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s a pity, as we were down to 10 men for the final 10 minutes and were unable to count on the resource that is having Balotelli in the team.

“We brought home a point today, but had come so close to three.”

Balotelli was initially only on the bench after suffering from flu symptoms.

“We evaluated the situation and the last game. He didn’t train on Tuesday or Wednesday because he was unwell. Today we needed solidity, a certain level of fitness and intensity, so I preferred Alfredo Donnarumma, who knows Ernesto Torregrossa well from their time together last season.”

Torregrossa certainly paid off the confidence, as he scored both goals, including a stunner from distance into the top corner.

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