L'Udinese crumbles Milan: Allegri sinks amid San Siro booing

Acc Milan suffers at San Siro the worst defeat of Massimiliano Allegri’s second era: the rossoneri are overwhelmed 3-0 (Bartesaghi own goal, Ekkelenkamp, Atta) at home by Udinese in a match valid for the 32nd day of the championship. The third knockout in the last four games (the other two had been with Lazio and Napoli) puts the Rossoneri’s position in the Champions League sprint at risk: both Como and Juventus could come dangerously close. Udinese, dragged by Zaniolo (two assists) and already safe, confirms its good moment and rises to 10th place with 43 points.

Allegri changes the module to 4-3-3 and with Leao in the anomalous role of central point: the results are not what the Tuscan coach expects. Little happens in the first 20 minutes of the match, apart from a naive yellow for Leao after he cheered the referee. Pulisic at 9′ is the protagonist of a nice personal action but is unlucky. At 27′ the guests take the lead: great restart by Zaniolo who eludes Saelemaekers, ball to Atta whose cross is accidentally deflected with his back by Bartesaghi into Maignan’s goal.

Amilan reacts angrily, at 32′ Pulisic puts a splendid cross into the box but Leao wastes it, shortly after again the American sends it wide by a whisker. Udinese, however, as soon as it reaches the meneghini’s area, it scares: after a Davis chance, the doubling comes at 37′. Again Zaniolo was perfect, crossing for Ekkelenkamp’s relentless header.

The Meazza crowd booed mercilessly, Milan risked conceding the third goal from Kristensen in the final half. In the second half, Allegri throws Fullkrug into the fray for a defender with the hope of regaining the result, but it’s not a day: Saelemaekers hits a crossbar, Modric, Fullkrug, Leao and Pavlovic have a chance each but Okoye remains unbeaten.

At 71′ comes the coup de grace: Rabiot loses the ball in midfield, Ekkelenkamp serves Atta who makes it three with a right-footed shot into the corner. In the final, Milan, much demoralized, can no longer create chances. It ends with a dry 0-3 that will have to give Allegri and the management pause for thought.