AC MILAN v UDINESE: OPPONENT REVIEW

The trial by fire is now behind us. Consecutive defeats to Juventus in the League and PSG in Europe followed by a draw at the Maradoni after leading Napoli 2-0 are now cosigned to the past as "bumps in the road". A tricky October certainly slowed AC Milan down but neither did it bring our hopes to a complete halt. There were plenty of signs of life in that first half in Naples as Olivier Giroud's 30-minute brace of headers had set AC Milan in their way. The Rossoneri will be looking to build on that first-half performance tomorrow evening when they host a struggling Udinese side, still without a win this season, on Serie A matchday 11.

The Bianconeri drew away at Monza last time out in Serie A in Gabriele Cioffi's first game back at the club, after having coached Udinese in 2021/22. Draws have been a common feature in Udinese's 2023/24 campaign. They have drawn the most matches (seven from ten) in Europe's Top-5 leagues this season and have shared the honours with AC Milan in 36 of the 96 meetings between the two sides in the top flight (more than against any other side in the Serie A). The Rossoneri will need to keep their guard up, especially if we go back to their most recent league game against Udinese, which ended in a 3-1 defeat at the Bluenergy Stadium last March. This, added to the fact that Udinese have scored in nine consecutive league games against AC Milan, is certainly a reason to stay fully alert.

DANGER AT SET PIECES
Udinese have dropped off significantly from where they were last year after ten matches played: 21 points in 2022/23, and seven this season. Udinese just aren't winning: they haven't tasted victory in any of their last 14 league games and last won back in May against Sampdoria. This is the number one priority for Gabriel Cioffi, who has been brought in to inject some fresh enthusiasm at the club. The right values are there in terms of the youngsters. Six players under the age of 21 have featured for Udinese this season, more than any other team in the competition: Pafundi, Vivaldo, Guessand, Ebosele Samardžić and Kristensen.

These players need to gel together and discover form and consistency. However, they will not shy away from a physical confrontation; Udinese have gone into 1015 duels so far this season, fewer only than Lecce's 1030. However, they are underperforming in front of goal. Udinese have an xG of 13 goals this season but have scored just six in Serie A 2023/24. Do they need to be more clinical? What we can say right now is that while the Bianconeri aren't causing issues from open play, they remain dangerous over the dead ball: 50% of Udinese's goals this season have from from set pieces, the highest percentage in the league this season and over double that of AC Milan (22%). 

EXPERIENCE ALONGSIDE YOUTH
Gabriele Cioffi has only had two days to prepare for the AC Milan game after they were in action against Cagliari on Wednesday. The Udinese boss could turn to Lorenzo Lucca up top again after the scored the equaliser in Monza.  The young striker is already experienced in men's football, having spent time in Italy's lower tiers and then a year at Ajax. With a 2 metre frame and bags of physicality, he is a big threat in the air. The 2000-born striker is in good form two, having scored two goals in his last four league appearances after not having scored in any of his previous six. Furthermore, the striker is only the second Italian player born from 1998 onwards to have scored in the top flight, after Destiny Udogie.

The other immovable member of the Bianconeri's squad is Lazar Samardžić. The Serbia international, who set up Roberto Pereyra in their win over AC Milan back in March, has scored nine Serie A goals and could become the youngest player to reach double figures in the league since he made his debut in 2021/22. Youth needs guidance though and the Bianconeri have in their ranks the experienced Roberto Pereyra (31 years), who is still without a goal in his seven appearances so far this season. The Argentine has had a goal involvement (one goal and two assists) in each of his last three games against AC Milan, after not having registered one in his previous seven. The winger is, furthermore, approaching the milestone of 50 goal involvements with the Friuliani in the top flight (currently on 48, 21 goals and 27 assists).

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