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1 vs 2
Played
February 11, 2012 5:00 PM GMT
Stadio Communale Friuli — Udine
Referee:‬ M. Bergonzi‎
Attendance:‬ 18000‎
 

Serie A Preview: Udinese - AC Milan

The Rossoneri's title challenge has taken a hit in recent weeks, but they face a tough task against an opponent hoping to jump back ahead of Lazio into third place

By Adam Scime


PROBABLE LINEUPS

UDINESE

Handanovic
Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi
Basta, Isla, Pazienza, Fernandes, Armero
Abdi
Di Natale
AC MILAN

Abbiati
Abate, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Antonini
Emanuelson, Ambrosini, Nocerino
Seedorf

Robinho,
El Shaarawy

The 3-2 loss at Fiorentina came with the added problem of Antonio Floro Flores picking up an injury, so Udinese boss Francesco Guidolin will not be able to call on the striker to partner Antonio Di Natale in attack while he has to deal with the other significant absences of Ghana midfield duo Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Kwadwo Asamoah still being on international duty as the Black Stars try to claim third place at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Midfielder Giampiero Pinzi is also out with the flu, but winter loan signings Gelson Fernandes and Michele Pazienza have settled quickly and are ready to feature once again. Hard-nosed defender Maurizio Domizzi could also start after in the three-man defence after recovering from an adductor muscle problem.

Meanwhile, AC Milan coach Massimiano Allegri has quite the selection headache: not only must he contend with injury-enforced absences that include the likes of Alessandro Nesta, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Alberto Aquilani, Antonio Cassano, and Alexandre Pato among others, but also two very notable suspensions.

Combative midfielder Mark van Bommel's booking in the 0-0 draw with Napoli resulted in a suspension for this match, while star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was handed a three-match ban for a slap on Salvatore Aronica during the same game. As a result, Emanuelson should get the nod due to his compatriot's absence, while promising youngster Stephen El Shaarawy or Maxi Lopez will look to pick up the slack up front alongside Robinho.


DID YOU KNOW?
  • Udinese have the best home record in Serie A this season, so far unbeaten at the Stadio Friuli with 10 wins, one draw, and no losses.
  • Guidolin's men have conceded 20 goals in league play this season, but only five on home soil.
  • Di Natale has scored in five of his last six Serie A matches against the Rossoneri.
  • AC Milan failed to score in consecutive matches for the first time since September 2009 after a loss to Lazio and draw with Napoli.
  • Allegri's squad have collected the most points on the road this season, earning 20 points from 11 games.
  • Over the last two seasons, Milan have actually won a better percentage of games without Ibrahimovic in the lineup (67 per cent) compared to when he does feature (60 per cent).


Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
Head to Head
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Feb 3, 2013 AC Milan 2 - Udinese 1
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Sep 23, 2012 Udinese 2 - AC Milan 1
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Feb 11, 2012 Udinese 1 - AC Milan 2
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Sep 21, 2011 AC Milan 1 - Udinese 1
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ May 22, 2011 Udinese 0 - AC Milan 0
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Last Five Matches
AC Milan
May 19, 2013Siena 1 - AC Milan 2ITA1
May 12, 2013AC Milan 0 - Roma 0ITA1
May 8, 2013Pescara 0 - AC Milan 4ITA1
May 5, 2013AC Milan 1 - Torino 0ITA1
Apr 28, 2013AC Milan 4 - Catania 2ITA1
Odds
Returns: Udinese £85.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Draw £31.00 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Milan £70.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
1Samir HandanoviçGoalkeeper
33Mauricio IslaDefender
5DaniloDefender
8Dušan BastaDefender
11Maurizio DomizziDefender
17Mehdi BenatiaDefender
-Michele PazienzaMidfielder
6Gerso FernandesMidfielder
-Almen AbdiMidfielder
27Pablo ArmeroDefender
10Antonio Di NataleStriker
21Daniele PadelliGoalkeeper
26Giovanni PasqualeDefender
4Damiano FerronettiDefender
-Andrea CodaDefender
-NeutonDefender
-Cristian BattocchioMidfielder
37Roberto PereyraMidfielder
66Giampiero PinziMidfielder
-Gabriel TorjeMidfielder
-Diego FabbriniStriker
83Antonio Floro FloresStriker
1Marco AmeliaGoalkeeper
5Philippe MexesDefender
-Djamel MesbahMidfielder
20Ignazio AbateDefender
4Thiago SilvaDefender
10Clarence SeedorfMidfielder
8Antonio NocerinoMidfielder
23Massimo AmbrosiniMidfielder
8Urby EmanuelsonMidfielder
7RobinhoStriker
92Stephan El ShaarawyMidfielder
30Flavio RomaGoalkeeper
32Christian AbbiatiGoalkeeper
19Gianluca Zambrotta Defender
25Daniele BoneraDefender
77Luca AntoniniDefender
93Mattia ValotiMidfielder
34Bryan CristanteMidfielder
18Filippo InzaghiStriker
10Maxi LópezStriker
Players to Watch
Antonio Di Natale
Antonio Di Natale
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
33 23 4 0
Serie A's top scorer has often revelled in matches against the Rossoneri and he could very well get on the scoresheet again even if he will have to deal with the likes of centre-back Thiago Silva keeping an eye on him.
Clarence Seedorf
Clarence Seedorf
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
0 0 0 0
With Ibrahimovic absent, Milan will need their creative players to shine more than usual and the veteran Dutchman will be the key figure in the hole behind the two forwards, hoping to supply the strikers in front of him with opportunities to score.
Prediction
I am sure you have heard the saying that "when it rains, it pours". With the Rossoneri in a bad state due to poor form, injuries and suspensions, it is difficult to see them coming away with a result against a team that have been ruthless on home soil - Udinese have a decent opportunity to compound Milan's misery.
Editor's Prediction
Milan 0
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Edinson  Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli
29 7
Antonio Di Natale Antonio Di Natale
Striker
Udinese
23 4
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Pablo Daniel Osvaldo
Striker
Roma
16 2
Stephan El Shaarawy Stephan El Shaarawy
Midfielder
Milan
16 0
Germán Denis Germán Denis
Striker
Atalanta
15 5