AC MILAN COME UP SHORT AGAINST UDINESE
Serie A
The Rossoneri didn’t get off to a good start during their season opener on Sunday, as they lost 1-0 to Udinese at the Dacia Arena. A goal from Becão proved to be the difference in what was a debut to forget for Coach Giampaolo. It was a scrappy performance from the away side, who failed to find the back of the net despite a second-half revival. Ismaël Bennacer and Rafael Leão both made their debuts in Udine, coming on as substitutes during the second half. The Rossoneri will be in action once again on Saturday 31 August, as they host Brescia at San Siro in an 18:00 CEST kick-off.
CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY FROM UDINESE V AC MILAN
REPORT
The first half was very much lacking excitement or any big chances, with Udinese closing down space well. Piatek did have a chance in the 25th minute although it was dealt with by Troost-Ekong. The 38th minute saw Romagnoli involved following a cross from Suso, who attempted a back-heel flick that went wide of the goal. Following the interval, the Rossoneri aimed to instil more incision into their play going forward and Musacchio almost had a good opportunity from a Çalhanoğlu free-kick soon after. This was then followed by chances at the other end for Mandragora and Fofana before Borini then missed the target with a right-footed strike. Paquetá had a pop in the 59th minute but failed to threaten. Five minutes later Castillejo managed to lose his marker but couldn’t find the target from outside the area. As Milan just started to shift gears, Udinese took the lead in the 72nd minute. Rodrigo Becão was the man with the goal, as he rose high to head home from a De Paul corner. Three minutes later, Donnarumma pulled off a fantastic save to keep it at 1-0, while Milan were denied a penalty late on after claims of handball against Samir.
UDINESE 1-0 AC MILAN
Udinese (3-5-2): Musso; Rodrigo Becão, Troost-Ekong, Samir; Stryger Larsen, Fofana (71' De Paul), Jajalo, Mandragora, Pezzella (81' Sema); Pussetto (71' Nestorovski), Lasagna. Subs.: Nícolas, Perisan; De Maio, Nuytinck, Opoku, Sierralta, Walace; Barak; Teodorczyk. Coach. Tudor.
AC Milan (4-3-1-2): Donnarumma G.; Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodríguez; Borini (60' Kessié), Çalhanoğlu, Paquetá (76' Bennacer); Suso; Castillejo (75' Leão), Piątek. Subs: Donnarumma A., Soncin; Conti, Duarte, Gabbia, Laxalt; Bonaventura, Krunić; André Silva. Coach: Giampaolo.
Referee: Pasqua from Tivoli
Goals: 72' Rodrigo Becão (U)
Booked: 22' Paquetá (M), 34' Çalhanoğlu (M), 44' Borini (M), 50' Jajalo (U)
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