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1 vs 2
Played
February 11, 2012 5:00 PM GMT
Stadio Communale Friuli — Udine
Referee:‬ M. Bergonzi‎
Attendance:‬ 18000‎
 

Serie A Preview: Udinese - AC Milan

The Rossoneri's title challenge has taken a hit in recent weeks, but they face a tough task against an opponent hoping to jump back ahead of Lazio into third place

By Adam Scime


PROBABLE LINEUPS

UDINESE

Handanovic
Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi
Basta, Isla, Pazienza, Fernandes, Armero
Abdi
Di Natale
AC MILAN

Abbiati
Abate, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Antonini
Emanuelson, Ambrosini, Nocerino
Seedorf

Robinho,
El Shaarawy

The 3-2 loss at Fiorentina came with the added problem of Antonio Floro Flores picking up an injury, so Udinese boss Francesco Guidolin will not be able to call on the striker to partner Antonio Di Natale in attack while he has to deal with the other significant absences of Ghana midfield duo Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Kwadwo Asamoah still being on international duty as the Black Stars try to claim third place at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Midfielder Giampiero Pinzi is also out with the flu, but winter loan signings Gelson Fernandes and Michele Pazienza have settled quickly and are ready to feature once again. Hard-nosed defender Maurizio Domizzi could also start after in the three-man defence after recovering from an adductor muscle problem.

Meanwhile, AC Milan coach Massimiano Allegri has quite the selection headache: not only must he contend with injury-enforced absences that include the likes of Alessandro Nesta, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Alberto Aquilani, Antonio Cassano, and Alexandre Pato among others, but also two very notable suspensions.

Combative midfielder Mark van Bommel's booking in the 0-0 draw with Napoli resulted in a suspension for this match, while star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was handed a three-match ban for a slap on Salvatore Aronica during the same game. As a result, Emanuelson should get the nod due to his compatriot's absence, while promising youngster Stephen El Shaarawy or Maxi Lopez will look to pick up the slack up front alongside Robinho.


DID YOU KNOW?
  • Udinese have the best home record in Serie A this season, so far unbeaten at the Stadio Friuli with 10 wins, one draw, and no losses.
  • Guidolin's men have conceded 20 goals in league play this season, but only five on home soil.
  • Di Natale has scored in five of his last six Serie A matches against the Rossoneri.
  • AC Milan failed to score in consecutive matches for the first time since September 2009 after a loss to Lazio and draw with Napoli.
  • Allegri's squad have collected the most points on the road this season, earning 20 points from 11 games.
  • Over the last two seasons, Milan have actually won a better percentage of games without Ibrahimovic in the lineup (67 per cent) compared to when he does feature (60 per cent).


Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
Head to Head
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Feb 11, 2012 Udinese 1 - AC Milan 2
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Sep 21, 2011 AC Milan 1 - Udinese 1
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ May 22, 2011 Udinese 0 - AC Milan 0
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Jan 9, 2011 AC Milan 4 - Udinese 4
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Feb 12, 2010 AC Milan 3 - Udinese 2
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Last Five Matches
Udinese
May 13, 2012Catania 0 - Udinese 2ITA1
May 6, 2012Udinese 2 - Genoa 0ITA1
May 2, 2012Cesena 0 - Udinese 1ITA1
Apr 29, 2012Udinese 2 - Lazio 0ITA1
Apr 25, 2012Udinese 1 - FC Internazionale 3ITA1
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1Samir HandanoviçGoalkeeper
3Mauricio IslaMidfielder
5DaniloDefender
8Dušan BastaDefender
11Maurizio DomizziDefender
17Mehdi BenatiaDefender
27Pablo ArmeroDefender
4Michele PazienzaMidfielder
16Gelson FernandesMidfielder
23Almen AbdiMidfielder
10Antonio Di NataleStriker
21Daniele PadelliGoalkeeper
26Giovanni PasqualeDefender
32Damiano FerronettiDefender
16Andrea CodaDefender
13NeutonDefender
18Cristian BattocchioMidfielder
25Gabriel TorjeMidfielder
37Roberto PereyraMidfielder
66Giampiero PinziMidfielder
31Diego FabbriniStriker
83Antonio Floro FloresStriker
1Marco AmeliaGoalkeeper
5Philippe MexesDefender
20Ignazio AbateDefender
33Thiago SilvaDefender
10Clarence SeedorfMidfielder
15Djamel MesbahMidfielder
22Antonio NocerinoMidfielder
23Massimo AmbrosiniMidfielder
28Urby EmanuelsonMidfielder
70RobinhoStriker
92Stephan El ShaarawyMidfielder
30Flavio RomaGoalkeeper
32Christian AbbiatiGoalkeeper
19Gianluca Zambrotta Defender
25Daniele BoneraDefender
77Luca AntoniniDefender
34Bryan CristanteMidfielder
57Mattia ValotiMidfielder
9Filippo InzaghiStriker
21Maxi LópezStriker
Players to Watch
Antonio Di Natale
Antonio Di Natale
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
36 23 2 0
Serie A's top scorer has often revelled in matches against the Rossoneri and he could very well get on the scoresheet again even if he will have to deal with the likes of centre-back Thiago Silva keeping an eye on him.
Clarence Seedorf
Clarence Seedorf
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
18 2 3 0
With Ibrahimovic absent, Milan will need their creative players to shine more than usual and the veteran Dutchman will be the key figure in the hole behind the two forwards, hoping to supply the strikers in front of him with opportunities to score.
Prediction
I am sure you have heard the saying that "when it rains, it pours". With the Rossoneri in a bad state due to poor form, injuries and suspensions, it is difficult to see them coming away with a result against a team that have been ruthless on home soil - Udinese have a decent opportunity to compound Milan's misery.
Editor's Prediction
Milan 0
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Striker
Milan
28 10
Diego Alberto Milito Diego Alberto Milito
Striker
Inter
24 8
Antonio Di Natale Antonio Di Natale
Striker
Udinese
23 4
Edinson  Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli
23 3
R. Palacio R. Palacio
Striker
Genoa
19 3