LATE DRAMA AS IBRA RESCUES A POINT
Serie A
Just like last year, Zlatan Ibrahimović played a decisive role in Udinese v AC Milan, finding the net with another bicycle kick. This time around, the Swede’s acrobatics were worth a precious point for the Rossoneri, who levelled matters in stoppage time. Indeed, tonight’s match finished in a 1-1 draw: trailing from Beto’s 16th-minute opener, the Diavolo managed to respond after a difficult first half, especially after the Portuguese man’s finish.
In the end, it was the right result, one which reflects the character of a Rossoneri side that is able to improve as matches wear on and react to difficulties, despite having many absences. Now, Coach Pioli’s men can work on the training pitch for an entire week, an important opportunity ahead of their final two matches in 2021: next up is a big showdown against Napoli at San Siro on Sunday, while the year - and the first half of the season - will then come to an end away to Empoli on Wednesday 22 December.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM UDINESE v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
Compared to the match against Liverpool, Florenzi, Saelemaekers and the Bennacer-Bakayoko combo were the newcomers to the starting line-up this evening. The game started off fairly matched, with both teams well organised. The Rossoneri's first chance came in the 12th minute when Ibra's volley went just wide. In the 16th minute, miscommunication between Bennacer and Bakayoko started Beto's counter-attack: Maignan and Tomori did their best, stopping the first two strikes, but on his third attempt the Portuguese striker made it 1-0 to Udinese. The goal gave the Bianconeri confidence, who kept their defence tight and well organised. This left few chances for the Rossoneri who nevertheless looked to react. The two best chances came in the 32nd minute - Romagnoli's acrobatic shot came off a corner - and in the 43rd minute, then again, the Rossoneri captain whipped in a cross for Ibrahimović, who passed to Díaz: Brahim's right-footed shot went inches wide.
AC Milan came back out of the dressing room refreshed with replacements Kessie, Messias and Tonali entering the fray. The Rossoneri's looked more determined, and there was a chance early in the second half when Ibrahimović shot high from a central position. In the 67th minute, Ibrahimović's splendid hit on the turn hit the post to Silvestri's right, while in the 79th minute the Swede's pass to Romagnoli was cut out by the Bianconeri goalkeeper. In the 82nd minute, Udinese went dangerously close to doubling their lead with Beto. In the 89th minute, Messias was unable to get a shot off from a great position in the box after he was closed down. The Rossoneri's efforts were, however, rewarded in the 92nd minute when the ball pinballed around the penalty area before Ibra's half-volley tucked it away. The last chance came from the hosts, but Kessie managed to block Jajalo's right-footed effort. Full time.
MATCH DETAILS
UDINESE 1-1 AC MILAN
UDINESE (3-5-2): Silvestri; Pérez, Becão, Nuytinck; Molina, Makengo, Walace, Arslan (70' Jajalo), Udogie (61' Zeegelaar); Deulofeu (70' Success), Beto. Subs.: Carnelos, Padelli; De Maio; Samardžić, Soppy; Forestieri, Nestorovski, Pussetto. Coach: Cioffi.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Florenzi, Tomori, Romagnoli, Hernández; Bennacer (46' Tonali), Bakayoko (46' Kessie); Saelemaekers (69' Castillejo), Díaz (81' Maldini), Krunić (46' Messias); Ibrahimović. Subs.: Mirante, Tătăruşanu; Ballo-Touré, Conti, Gabbia, Kalulu. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Fourneau from Roma 1.
Goals: 17' Beto (U), 92' Ibrahimović (M).
Booked: 25' Pérez (U), 55' Deulofeu (U), 87' Castillejo (M), 87' Zeegelaar (U).
Sent-off: 95' Success (U).
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