A late Zlatan Ibrahimovic strike saved Milan on Saturday, rescuing the league leaders from their worst loss of the season.
From the start, it was apparent that the Udinese would challenge the Rossoneri. Stefano Pioli decided to play several backup players, and the hosts promptly took advantage of the weak lineup. For much of the match, Milan was unable to create in the midfield and had to instead force play down the wings. Brahim Diaz had perhaps the worst game of his career as Udinese dispossessed him 5 times in the first 60 minutes.
The attacking duo of Beto and Gerard Deulofeu led interim manager Gabriele Cioffi’s squad. Both quick forwards, the hosts relied on counter-attacking to create chances. Centre-back Samir missed the match after a yellow card suspension, and the club also lacked Roberto Pereyra due to injury.
After a midweek Champions League match against Liverpool, Milan’s starting eleven was made up of depth players. Rade Krunic started on the right wing for the visitors, and Ismael Bennacer and Tiemoue Bakayoko played in the central midfield.
Udinese began the match playing in a compact defensive formation. The hosts forced Milan to play long balls and prevented build-up play in the midfield.
Scendiamo in campo così?
Starting XI ?
⚪⚫ #ForzaUdinese #AlèUdin #UdineseMilan #SerieATIM #WeAreCalcio #Football pic.twitter.com/Vdy13R5Eji
— Udinese Calcio (@Udinese_1896) December 11, 2021
Early on, Route One play released Deulofeu into the attacking third, and the forward beat Alessio Romagnoli and Alessandro Florenzi in the box. However, Mike Maignan made a quality save, diving onto the ball before the Spanish international could shoot.
Milan’s midfielders were frighteningly ineffective early in the match. Diaz gave away possession nearly every time he touched the ball, and Bakayoko struggled to complete short passes.
Bakayoko and Bennacer’s day became worse when a poor pass conceded possession to Beto and Deulofeu. The two forwards found themselves with no defenders around them, and the breakaway chance resulted in a 1-0 lead for Udinese.
With Diaz failing to create in the midfield, Milan had to play long balls over the top. Though the club controlled possession, the final third was impenetrable.
As halftime drew near, Milan began to look more confident in attack. A through-ball from Zlatan played Theo Hernandez into the box, but the full-back’s apparent goal was called back for offsides.
#UdineseMilan ?
Our starting 11 ?#SempreMilan @EASPORTSFIFA pic.twitter.com/ylPdDZjqxQ— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 11, 2021
After the break, Pioli made three key changes to the lineup. The manager brought on Junior Messias, Sandro Tonali and Franck Kessie, trying to give his hapless midfield a spark. The trio replaced Bakayoko, Bennacer and Krunic, who had been poor in the first 45 minutes.
Less than a minute after play resumed, Zlatan managed a prime chance from inside the box, but his shot flew well over the crossbar.
Later, creativity from Junior Messias created space in the final third, and he found Diaz unmarked in the box. The midfielder promptly wasted Milan’s best chance of the match and sent his shot 15 yards above the net.
Just when it seemed that all was lost, Zlatan Ibrahimovic rescued a point for Milan. After a corner bounced around in the box, the ball somehow fell to the Swede’s feet, and he wasted no time making it 1-1 in added time.
Substitute Isaac Success added late drama to the fixture, elbowing Maignan and shoving Florenzi, promptly receiving a red card. The late sending off did not change the result though, which ended as an ugly draw.