Juventus beat Balotelli's Brescia to go top of Serie A

Mario Balotelli made his first start for Brescia but the promoted northeners still fell to a 2-1 defeat which sent champions Juventus top of Serie A.

Former Manchester City and Inter Milan striker Balotelli has returned to Italy to play for his hometown club, but his debut had been delayed as he sat out a four-game suspension for previous club Marseille.

Juventus were without Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday, rested with a slight thigh problem, but the champions recovered from going behind after less than four minutes to an Alfredo Donnarumma goal -- his fourth in five games.

Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny got two hands to Donnarumma's powerful strike, but could only push the ball into the net.

Brescia defender Jhon Chancellor let the champions off the hook five minutes before the break, diverting the ball into his own goal, with Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic completing the comeback, volleying in on 63 minutes.

Juventus overtake Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A table with 13 points from five games.

Antonio Conte's side are one point behind before they host Lazio at the San Siro on Wednesday.

"It wasn't easy after going behind within four minutes, but we showed personality," Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri told DAZN.

Balotelli, back in Italy for the first time since 2016, was denied after half an hour with Polish 'keeper Szczesny tipping his 30-yard free-kick over the bar.

"Mario is working hard and is an extraordinary player. I'm sure he'll give us a big hand this season," said Brescia coach Eugenio Corini.

"Being at home, close to his mother, family and friends is helping him to focus on his life more. His abilities are unlimited."