AC Milan 1-1 Udinese: El Shaarawy rescues point for title holders after first half opener from Di Natale

The Champions started the match brightly and were looking to get forward early on, and in the ninth minute Antonio Cassano drifted onto the left flank, his curling cross was met by Alexandre Pato, but the Brazilian dragged his header wide.

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This turned out to be the striker’s only real contribution to the game as 10 minutes later he was withdrawn with a hamstring injury, being replaced by new signing El Shaarawy.

Five minutes later and Udinese had their first chance to open the scoring, Gabriel Torje found some space down the left and with Di Natale waiting in the box, he tried to get his cross in, but unfortunately for the young Romanian his whipped delivery went straight to Christian Abbiati.

A few minutes later and the away side got their goal through star man Di Natale, Torje again curling in a cross from the left wing, this time however Abbiati couldn’t keep hold of the ball, leaving the Bianconeri captain with a simple finish to take the lead for the visitors.

Just before half time the home side came close to levelling the tie, with a well struck free kick from Clarence Seedorf crashing against the post, after Cassano had been brought down on the edge of the box.

The second half started and Milan looked desperate to even the scoring, and their first real chance came in the 58^th minute after a great chipped ball from Seedorf found Cassano in the box, and the Italian controlled the ball neatly with his chest, but his shot on the turn was pushed away well by Samir Handanovic.

Less than five minutes later though and the home side were level through a great finish from El Shaarawy, the youngster receiving the ball on the right side of the box after a neat ball from Cassano, and he made no mistake in guiding his low finish into the far corner.

In the last 15 minutes the visitors looked the more likely to win the game with substitute Giampiero Pinzi striking the post with a low drive, before Abbiati pulled of a great save to deny Di Natale in the closing minutes.

Milan are still without a win after three games and will be looking for an improved result in their game away at Cagliari, while Udinese, who have started the season well, will be hoping to continue their run at home to Cesena in the next round of Serie A.