TIME MACHINE: AC MILAN v UDINESE

April at San Siro. There aren't many home fixtures left on the Serie A calendar, but AC Milan v Udinese is one of those matches that simply can't be missed. Recent history adds weight: a 3-0 Rossoneri win in the reverse fixture, a 1–0 victory with 10 men in 2024, a narrow 1-0 defeat in 2023, and a thrilling 4-2 win on 13 August 2022.

It was AC Milan's first competitive match as reigning champions, and San Siro was warmed by the spring sunshine as well as the passion of the Rossoneri fans. The 19th Scudetto won in May was still fresh in everyone’s hearts, and all those there that afternoon were still reliving the indescribable emotions experienced just a few months earlier. It was the opening day of the new Serie A season, yet in some ways it felt like the 39th matchday of the previous campaign, a season that had already secured its place in history and memory. In the dugout was Pioli, while on the pitch were many of the key figures from the title-winning side: Maignan, Calabria, Hernández, Leão, Bennacer and Díaz, with the much-anticipated Charles De Ketelaere ready to make his debut.

The match, however, did not start well, as after just two minutes, Udinese took the lead through Becão's header from a corner. The Rossoneri reacted brilliantly and equalised in the 11th minute, with Hernández converting Calabria's penalty, sending Silvestri the wrong way. AC Milan continued to press and took the lead just four minutes later. Calabria was involved again, delivering a cross from the right that was turned home by Rebić. The comeback was immediate, but was cancelled out in first-half stoppage time as Pereyra picked out Masina, who caught Messias off guard and beat Maignan to level the match before the break. Only seconds into the second half, AC Milan were back in front: a rebound fell kindly for Díaz, who bundled the ball over the line from close range. Díaz then set up the Rossoneri’s fourth goal in the 68th minute, with Rebić completing his brace with a sliding finish. From that point on, it was business as usual for the Rossoneri, who managed the game until the final whistle.

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