A DIFFERENT AC MILAN

This AC Milan vs Udinese fixture is the Rossoneri’s second match after the March 2026 international break. The last time these two sides met at San Siro, it was the first game after the October 2024 international break. That afternoon featured a very different AC Milan side to the one we see today and delivered a match full of twists and emotion. The scoreboard from a year and a half ago read AC Milan 1-0 Udinese, thanks to a goal from Sammy Chukwueze. This season, the Nigerian winger has made 12 appearances for the Nigeria national team and 19 for Fulham. His goal against the Friulian side is still worth remembering: Okafor and Pulisic combined to set the move in motion before Sammy struck first time with his left foot to find the net. It looked simple, smooth and perfectly executed. Yet AC Milan vs Udinese is one of those fixtures that rarely unfolds without drama. In 1984, for example, AC Milan were leading 3-1 before the game finished 3-3. In 2011, the Rossoneri trailed 3-1 but fought back to draw 4-4, even coming close to a remarkable late winner.

In October 2024, the key moment came with the red card shown to Tijji Reijnders, who now plays for Manchester City. Bijol launched a long ball forward for Lovrić, with Reijnders the only player chasing back, and during the pursuit, Lovrić went to ground. Did Reijnders make contact? Referee Chiffi said yes, and VAR did not intervene, meaning a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. In effect, the game became two matches in one. The first - shaped by Chukwueze's goal - lasted 29 minutes. From that moment on, AC Milan had to play with ten men. In the second half the Rossoneri dropped deeper, defending in a 4-4-1 shape and rarely breaking forward, although one of their rare attacks almost produced another goal. With 15 minutes remaining, Okoye made a superb save to deny Pulisic. On the rebound, Abraham missed the target and injured his shoulder in the process. The closing stages were dominated by Mike Maignan, meaning a huge scare for the Rossoneri supporters. In the 98th minute, Kabasele found the net after a scramble in the box, but after a VAR review Chiffi spotted an offside by Ekkelenkamp and ruled the goal out.

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