Milan-Udinese: a night to forget
Against Udinese, Milan finally attempt to shake things up, starting from their formation. A back four and a more organised attack, with proper wide players, are the first steps towards a change that, it is hoped, could bear fruit.
First half: some positive signs, then the collapse
Indeed, in the first half — especially in the first half hour — Allegri‘s men look more proactive than usual. With the switch to a 4-3-3, more space opens up in the final third, there is no overcrowding of players, and the interplay between midfield and attack appears more fluid. Pulisic and Leao seem more active than usual, at least initially, going close to goal with two long-range efforts. Yet, in the final 20 minutes of the first half, all these slight improvements become irrelevant: first Atta on the counter-attack forces the own goal by Bartesaghi, and then Ekkelenkamp from a Zaniolo cross, allow Udinese to head into the dressing room at 0-2, thanks to two episodes that once again highlight how much the Rossoneri backline lacks concentration and solidity.
Second half: no reaction, then the rout
The second half begins with sporadic attempts by Milan to get back into the game, only to hit the crossbar and fade away. Udinese, for their part, focus on containing, waiting, looking to counter-attack and even threatening to score a third. But nothing changes, and as time goes on, the overall feeling becomes ever more apparent — a team completely lost, unable to break down a fairly well-organised defence. And, with 20 minutes to go, Atta seals the third goal, closing out a truly humiliating defeat for the hosts.
A result that weighs heavily, on and off the pitch
This 0-3 is not just a heavy defeat in terms of the scoreline, but also for what it may signify. Because bouncing back after a horror show like this is extremely difficult, and risks inevitably damaging the end of the season.
