Serie A: Rossoneri Face Familiar Question Marks

AC Milan vs Udinese

The 2022 Serie A champions may be sixth after seven games of the new season, but how much further can they realistically climb? That’s’ the question I ask as they prepare to host fifth=placed Udinese on Saturday teatime.

The talent in the ranks of the Rossoneri is not in doubt, but there is a niggling uncertainty about whether they have the calibre in depth to climb back into the title mix against the likes of city rivals Inter, a rejuvenated Napoli, and a possible burst from old adversaries Juventus.

 

Talking Points

Milan had actually found a bit of form a month with a long-awaited victory in the Milan derby against Italian champions Inter, a massive boost for confidence and swiftly followed up by a 3-0 home success over Lecce.

Since then, however, results have fallen back again with a 1-0 Champions League reverse at Bayer Leverkusen followed by a 2-1 defeat to a David De Gea inspired Fiorentina.

That means they prepare to host Udinese two points behind their high-flying opponents.

The fact the Little Zebras are creating Serie A 2024 highlights is arguably more of a surprise when you consider the start they had last season.

A disastrous first five games in their 2023/24 campaign of no wins, three draws (in two of which they failed to score) and two defeats set the tone for what followed.

That they finished the season in 15^th place with six league wins, yet managed to escape the drop due to a plethora of draws (19 – half of their league matches), despite relegated teams having more victories, was something of a surprise.

All in all, it was a season to forget.

Manager Kosta Runjaic has them firing on more cylinders now, and they are only two wins short of equalling last season’s meagre total.

Their fourth league win of the season came against Lecce last time out, thanks to a stunning Jordan Zemura free-kick.

Milan will hope to have goalkeeper Mike Maignan in their ranks after he had an injury scare while on international duty for France (he still played in both matches for Les Bleus).

They’ve also had the boost of welcoming back Christian Pulisic early from internationals with the US.

After playing in the victory over Panama, he was released early without having to participate in the friendly against Mexico.

It’s good news for Milan, as the attacker has been in sparkling form so far this term with six goals and two assists in nine Serie A games and the Champions League.

One man they will definitely be without is left-back Theo Hernandez, who begins a two match suspension.

He was sent off for dissent immediately after the full-time whistle of the defeat at Fiorentina, a match in which he was criticised for a lack of leadership, as well as giving away a penalty and then missing one of his own.

 

History

Udinese secured one of the results of the season in this encounter last term. That was when a Roberto Pereyra penalty proved the only goal of the game to earn a fine 1-0 win for the visitors in the San Siro. It was also their first victory there since September 2016.

Milan did gain some revenge in the return fixture in January when they edged a five goal thriller thanks to a late show.

After opening the scoring through Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Udinese hit back to go 2-1 in front via Lazar Samardzic and Florian Thauvin.

However, two goals in the final seven minutes turned the match around as then manager Stefano Pioli introduced both Luka Jovic and Noah Okafor, and they both were on target as Okafor produced a half-volley deep in stoppage time to seal the points.

You have to go back to the 2007/08 season for the last time either club managed a league double over the other. During that campaign, Milan triumphed 1-0 in Udinese and 4-1 at home.

The very first clash between the sides came in the then Prima Divisione in October 1922 when a 1-1 draw saw Giacomo Moretti open the scoring before Venerino Papa equalised for the home side Milan.

 

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Serie A 2024 betting odds are very one-sided in favour of the home side. You can back Milan 1X2 @ 1.33 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.05, compared to Udinese 1X2 @ 7.30 and Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 2.12.

The draw is on offer @ 4.70 and, realistically, I think that’s the best Udinese can hope for, although a repeat of their impressive 1-0 victory from last season will earn you an equally impressive pay day of @ 22.00 with Correct Score.

I think there will be a few goals in this one, enough for Milan to come out on top by the odd one or two.

Other bets worth considering are Total Goals 0-1 @ 4.06, 4-6 @ 2.68, and Over 3.00 @ 2.01.

   

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