Udinese v Milan Live Commentary & Result, 18/3/23, Serie A

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	NAP Napoli	38	28	6	4	77	28	+49	90	W D W L W
2	LAZ Lazio	38	22	8	8	60	30	+30	74	W W W D L
3	INT Internazionale	38	23	3	12	71	42	+29	72	W W L W W
4	MIL Milan	38	20	10	8	64	43	+21	70	W W W L W
5	ATA Atalanta	38	19	7	12	66	48	+18	64	W L W L L
6	ROM Roma	38	18	9	11	50	38	+12	63	W L D D L
7	JUV Juventus	38	22	6	10	56	33	+23	62	W L L W W
8	FIO Fiorentina	38	15	11	12	53	43	+10	56	W W D W L
9	BOL Bologna	38	14	12	12	53	49	+4	54	W D W D D
10	TOR Torino	38	14	11	13	42	41	+1	53	L W D W D
11	MON Monza	38	14	10	14	48	52	-4	52	L L W W D
12	UDI Udinese	38	11	13	14	47	48	-1	46	L L L L W
13	SAS Sassuolo	38	12	9	17	47	61	-14	45	L D L L D
14	EMP Empoli	38	10	13	15	37	49	-12	43	L D W D W
15	SAL Salernitana	38	9	15	14	48	62	-14	42	L W D W L
16	LEC Lecce	38	8	12	18	33	46	-13	36	L W D D L
17	SPE Spezia	38	6	13	19	31	62	-31	31	L L D W L
18	VER Hellas Verona	38	7	10	21	31	59	-28	31	L D L L W
19	CRE Cremonese	38	5	12	21	36	69	-33	27	W L L L W
20	SAM Sampdoria	38	3	10	25	24	71	-47	19	L D L D L

That concludes our commentary of the Serie A fixture between Udinese and Milan! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!

Udinese are back in action on April 2, when they travel to play Bologna. Milan play again on the same day when they meet Napoli.

A confident and in-command Udinese take all three points from Milan, beating their opponents by three goals to one. The Friulani weathered the set-back of Ibrahimovic’s retaken penalty well, with Beto restoring the lead with the last kick of the first half. The hosts picked up where they left off in the second, cutting through the Milan midfield easily and preventing Silvestri from any meaningful work. A close-range finish from Ehizibue 20 minutes from time effectively ended the match as a contest, with Pioli’s side struggling to get a foothold in the game. The disappointing loss keeps Milan in fourth while Udinese jump into eighth.

90' + 7' FULL-TIME: UDINESE 3-1 MILAN.

90' + 5' The fourth official indicates seven minutes will be added to the end of the game for stoppages.

Rodrigo Becão

Yellow Card

90' + 3' Becao is also shown a yellow card for his reaction, confronting his opponent and starting a bit of a fray.

S. Tonali

Yellow Card

90' + 2' Tonali charges into Becao during a race for the loose ball, which sends the centre-back to the floor and earns the Milan midfielder a yellow card.

90' + 1' Tonali curls the ensuing free-kick into the penalty area from the left but it’s put directly into the arms of the waiting Silvestri.

F. Ebosele

Yellow Card

90' Ebosele is shown a yellow card immediately after coming on, for a scissoring tackle on Leao.

M. Zeegelaar

D. Udogie

89' Udogie is also given an early break with Zeegelaar ready to take his place.

F. Ebosele

K. Ehizibue

88' Ehizibue makes way for Ebosele as Udinese add fresh legs to the flank.

87' Milan have generated precious little as Udinese continue to make substitutions and slow down the rhythm of the play. The hosts are handling the situation to perfection en-route to their second win in a row.

85' Silvestri again goes to ground before a goal-kick, holding the foot that had given the goalkeeper trouble earlier in the game. The back-up is currently getting loose on the bench but there doesn’t appear to be a switch between the posts incoming.

83' CLOSE! Tonali lifts a free-kick towards the penalty spot, where it’s nodded up in the air by Bijol. Krunic gets on the end of it and fires a volley but it’s dragged just wide of the post!

T. Arslan

R. Pereyra

81' Pereyra is replaced by Arslan with nine minutes left in the contest.

80' Udinese are doing their best while in possession to sap time off the clock and force Milan to chase, frustrating Pioli on the touchline.

78' With just over 10 minutes to play Milan must find a way to halve the deficit quickly if they wish to set up a grandstand finish. It's not looking likely at the moment with Udinese holding their shape well out of possession, forcing the Rossoneri to move the ball from right to left desperately.

C. De Ketelaere

Z. Ibrahimović

76' Substitution Zlatan Ibrahimović Charles Marc De Ketelaere

D. Origi

Brahim Díaz

76' Substitution Brahim Abdelkader Díaz Divock Okoth Origi

D. Calabria

F. Tomori

76' Tomori's rough evening comes to an end with Calabria on in relief.

F. Thauvin

I. Success

74' Success' match comes to an end 16 minutes early, with Thauvin given a chance to stretch his legs.

S. Lovrić

L. Samardžić

73' Lovric comes in for Samardzic as Udinese begin to make changes.

72' Udinese and Milan are equal in their last eight meetings in Friuli in Serie A: three wins each and two draws. Indeed, the two teams could draw two matches in a row at Udinese’s home in Serie A for the first time since 2004 to 2005.

D. Udogie

Assist

70' Udogie's unselfish assist for his opposite wing-back puts the hosts two goals ahead with 20 minutes to go.

K. Ehizibue

Goal

70' UDINESE MAKE IT THREE! Success keeps the ball in play ahead of the byline, beating Thiaw who had gone down in the process. The striker intelligently cuts it back to Udogie, whose first touch takes it to Ehizibue at the back post. Despite claims of offside, the right wing-back holds his position and taps an easy ball into the back of the net!

Walace

Yellow Card

68' Walace’s reckless sliding challenge brings Krunic down and earns the Udinese midfielder a yellow card.

66' Kalulu’s long throw-in towards Thiaw is repelled easily by Perez, before a clever Success wins a free-kick from Krunic after putting it through the legs of the midfielder.

A. Rebić

A. Saelemaekers

64' Looking to add a bit more in the attack, Pioli sends Rebic on for Saelemaekers.

R. Krunić

I. Bennacer

64' Krunic comes on for Bennacer in a Midfield change for Milan.

62' It’s a let-off for Milan as Samardzic’s free-kick fails to find a team-mate and flies directly behind for a goal-kick.

P. Kalulu

Yellow Card

61' Kalulu’s late tackle on Udogie has left him in a bit of pain 25 yards from Milan’s goal. It’s a yellow card for the defender, while the Udinese wing-back requires a bit of treatment from the medical staff before the set-piece.

60' Ballo-Toure hoists a cross into the penalty area but Silvestri confidently steps off his line and up into his box to make the necessary punch to clear the danger.

58' Samardzic fires a wild effort from 30 yards out that sails high over Maignan's goal.

56' Ibrahimovic has become the oldest goalscorer in Serie A history (41 years and 166 days), overtaking another former Milan player; Alessandro Costacurta (41 years and 25 days, in May 2007).

54' Diaz fires a cross into the penalty area for Ibrahimovic, who goes down under close guard from both Bijol and Becao. Ballo-Toure looks to get on the end of it at the far post but he puts his header over the crossbar while clattering into Silvestri.

52' CHANCE! Tonali’s outswinging corner finds the head of Thiaw, who directs his header towards goal from six yards out. It’s a great opportunity but met with an equally impressive save as Silvestri catches the effort and hangs on despite the traffic.

50' Saelemaekers' long throw into the penalty area looking for Leao is won by Perez, who immediately hooks the ball up the pitch towards Maignan.

48' Milan must come out in the second half with more initiative, and move the ball quicker from defence to attack. The slow pace of play in the first period allowed the hosts to get back in their shape which suits them well, forcing the Rossoneri to unpick tight locks.

46' Milan get the match restarted from the kick-off!

Milan woke up slightly after conceding but there is a real lack of pace and cohesion going forward. De Ketelaere could be introduced either as a striker or behind the front man, while Krunic could replace Diaz and help bring solidity to the midfield. Udinese will continue to work their neat interchanges to open up the Milan midfield but will not be thoroughly satisfied until they find a bit of insurance to ease the nerves.

A wild first half at the Dacia Arena comes to an end with Udinese leading Milan by two goals to one, thanks to Beto’s last-minute strike. The hosts settled into the match much quicker and had gone ahead after just nine minutes, thanks to captain Pereyra’s off-balance strike following a lovely Samardzic run. Milan struggled to find their footing but were gifted an opportunity to go level from the spot, after VAR intervention helped to correctly assess a Bijol handball inside the penalty area. Ibrahimovic stepped up to take it but was denied by a flying Silvestri, only for the referee to indicate a full minute later that it should be retaken due to encroachment. Furious, Sottil was shown a red card for protestations but it wouldn’t prevent the 41-year old Milan striker from making the most of his opportunity to put it level. Beto would restore the Friulani’s lead in the sixth minute of injury time with virtually the last kick however, getting the better of Thiaw to turn home from close range.

45' + 7' HALF-TIME: UDINESE 2-1 MILAN.

I. Success

Assist

45' + 6' Success gets credited with the assist for Beto's go-ahead goal!

Beto

Goal

45' + 6' IT GETS CRAZIER! 2-1 UDINESE! Udinese come back up the pitch after conceding through Udogie, who slips inside the penalty area during an attempted pass, which fortunately moves the ball to Success. The striker then plays a low cross towards the penalty spot for Beto, who gets ahead of Thiaw and turns it past Maignan!

Z. Ibrahimović

Penalty Goal

45' + 4' IBRAHIMOVIC MAKES NO MISTAKE THIS TIME! 1-1! After missing the first - chalked off - penalty, the Milan captain steps up to make amends and does so with a furious shot into the top corner from 12 yards out!

45' + 2' FURTHER CONTROVERSY! After the penalty was saved and play continued, the referee blows his whistle and calls for the kick to be retaken! It appears there was encroachment by Beto just before Ibrahimovic took his kick, which means it has to be redone! Sottil is furious and he's shown a red card for his outburst and the drama mounts!

45' + 1' SAVED! INCREDIBLE! Ibrahimovic steps up to the spot looking to equalise in injury time but Silvestri guesses the right way and gets two hands to the shot to parry! It remains 1-0 Udinese!

45' PENALTY! The referee is told to go over to the monitor to have a second look at the incident and after a couple of reviews, he comes back onto the pitch and points to the spot! It did appear as though the ball hit the leg of the defender before his arm but the call stands and Milan have a chance to go level!

43' Leao is furiously appealing for a penalty after bringing down Kalulu’s pass inside the Udinese penalty area. The referee shakes his head and allows play to continue with Bijol in possession but VAR will be taking a closer look in the meantime.

41' Bennacer again looks for the near post from his corner delivery but Beto meets it with a definitive defensive header.

40' Leao curls a dangerous shot from the left edge of the penalty area, forcing Silvestri into a diving parry that turns it round the post and behind.

39' Milan are once again cut open with simple passes in midfield, allowing Pereyra to drive towards the byline down the left. His cross is a good one towards Success but the header is a tame effort that pops up for an easy Maignan catch.

37' Milan are the team against which Udinese have drawn the most games in their history in Serie A: 36 in 95 matches (W17 L42).

35' WHAT A SAVE FROM SILVESTRI! Diaz turns in midfield and finds just enough space to wriggle through midfield, before finding Ibrahimovic at the edge of the penalty area. The pass doesn’t stick so the Milan number 10 gets back onto the ball and fires a volley that’s pushed over the crossbar from close range! After the save the referee points for a free-kick to Udinese for a handball in the build-up, with an arm used by the forward to help control possession.

33' Ibrahimovic holds possession of the ball ahead of the pressing Samardzic, going down and forcing the referee’s hand, who eventually blows for a free-kick. It gives Milan a chance to get up the pitch from a position deep in midfield.

31' Silvestri is now down holding his foot and asking for a bit of medical assistance just after the half-hour mark. It doesn’t appear to be serious, with the goalkeeper possibly trying to break up Milan’s recently found rhythm.

29' Bennacer’s ensuing corner-kick is a similarly good cross hit towards the near post but Silvestri manages to get a fist to the ball ahead of Ibrahimovic’s head.

28' Bennacer whips a dangerous delivery in towards the near post, where it’s met by Beto, who turns it behind for a corner.

N. Pérez

Yellow Card

27' Perez is forced to tug Saelemaekers' kit in a cynical attempt to stop the progress of the wing-back, giving away a free-kick on the right flank. It's a yellow card for the Udinese defender.

25' Beto catches Tomori on the back of the leg accidentally during a race to the loose ball and sends the centre-back to the ground. It’s a free-kick for Milan just inside their own half.

23' Saelemaekers cuts inside from the right and fires a low shot with his weaker foot that’s smothered by Silvestri.

22' Milan look to make the most of their first corner-kick of the game but Tonali’s effort meets the head of Success - back to do his defensive work.

20' Milan have been very poor in the opening 20 minutes, with Leao misplacing another pass that leads to an Udinese interception. The visitors have struggled to get out of their own half with possession of the ball with a lack of forward movement suffocating play.

18' Already the fifth corner of the match for Udinese, Samardzic’s latest effort is met by a glancing header from Thiaw, who temporarily clears the danger.

16' Udogie risks an early card, clattering through the back of Diaz in midfield but it’s just a word from referee Daniele Doveri, who gives Milan a free-kick deep in midfield.

14' SO CLOSE! Ibrahimovic goes straight for goal despite the distance and hits a swerving strike that whistles just over the crossbar!

13' Walace shoves Bennacer in the back 30 yards from goal and gives away a free-kick, with Milan looking to trouble Silvestri for the first time.

11' Udinese come pouring forward yet again, with Beto fooling Kalulu on his way towards the 18-yard box. The striker then lays it off to his left for Pereyra but the eventual cross is put behind disappointingly.

L. Samardžić

Assist

9' The goal was scored by Pereyra but all the work in the build-up was done by Samardzic, who picks up the assist.

R. Pereyra

Goal

9' WHAT A GOAL! 1-0 UDINESE! Incredible dribbling from Samardzic, who wins the ball back near the centre-circle and slaloms into the penalty area, leaving Tomori wobbling helplessly. Before getting his shot away, Pereyra takes advantage and latches onto the ball before slotting it into the far corner!

8' Milan are being put under early pressure, with another corner-kick conceded but Pereyra’s effort squirms through the crowd of bodies and behind on the other side for Maignan to collect.

6' Samardzic takes a corner from the left but it’s knocked away by Tonali, who beats Bijol to the ball. The clearance goes only as far as the Udinese set-piece taker on the wing but tenacious closing down from the Milan player results in a second-successive block.

4' Success is allowed to turn 25 yards from goal and he uses the space to fire a low shot that drags wide of the post and behind for a goal-kick.

3' Pereyra takes Udinese’s first corner of the match, sending an inswinger towards Becao but Maignan meets the delivery and catches it comfortably.

1' Udinese get the match underway from the kick-off!

Milan make three changes to the XI that earned a 1-1 draw with Salernitana on Monday. Tonali returns to midfield, replacing Krunic, while an illness to Theo Hernandez gives Ballo-Toure the start at wing-back. The final change is also enforced, with Ibrahimovic returning to fill the void left by the suspended Olivier Giroud.

Udinese make a single alteration to the side that beat Empoli 1-0 last time out, with Samardzic replacing Lovric in midfield.

MILAN SUBS: Ciprian Tatarusanu, Charles De Ketelaere, Divock Origi, Rade Krunic, Aster Vrancx, Davide Calabria, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Matteo Gabbia, Antonio Mirante, Yacine Adli, Simon Kjaer, Tommaso Pobega, Alessandro Florenzi, Ante Rebic.

MILAN XI (3-4-2-1): Mike Maignan; Pierre Kalulu, Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori; Alexis Saelemaekers, Ismael Bennacer, Sandro Tonali, Fode Ballo-Toure; Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao; Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

UDINESE SUBS: Florian Thauvin, Sandi Lovric, Festy Ebosele, Daniele Padelli, James Abankwah, Edoardo Piana, Tolgay Arslan, Simone Pafundi, Marvin Zeegelaar, Ilija Nestorovski

UDINESE XI (3-5-1-1): Marco Silvestri; Rodrigo Becao, Jaka Bijol, Nehuen Perez; Kingsley Ehizibue, Lazar Samardzic, Walace, Roberto Pereyra, Destiny Udogie; Isaac Success, Beto.

With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with our hosts!

Milan squandered the opportunity to go back to second place on Monday, giving up the lead to tie 1-1 with Salernitana; a result that leaves them fourth. With both Lazio and Inter not playing until tomorrow however, Stefano Pioli’s side is once again in a position to leapfrog the pair of teams above them. With Roma and Atalanta both within win of catching the Rossoneri as well, it is shaping up to be an extremely tight race for the Champions League places.

One win in seven matches has Udinese sitting in 11th position, with the Friulani picking up four points and two clean sheets in their last pair of Serie A games. Despite sitting in the bottom half of the table, Andrea Sottil’s side are just three points behind Juventus in seventh while maintaining a one-point lead ahead of Fiorentina and Monza directly behind them.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Serie A fixture between Udinese and Milan!

Udinese v Milan Live Commentary, 19/3/23

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