What: Italian Serie A
Who: Udinese vs AC Milan
When: Saturday 11th February, 2012, at 17:00 UK time
Where: Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy
Catching Up
With AC Milan on a run of poor form, Udinese have the chance to inflict defeat on the Rossoneri and draw level with the visitors on points in Serie A. At home at the Friuli, Udinese should feel comfortable, especially given the fact that they have the best home record in Serie A with ten wins and a draw so far.
It could widely be assumed that now is the best time to play Milan, given the fact that star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended following his physical altercation with Napoli player Salvatore Aronica, added to the Rossoneri’s ever growing injury list, but Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin begs to differ on this issue.
“There’s no question that this is a player [Ibrahimovic] who is crucial and decisive, however, I am convinced that a team like Milan have many options. In some circumstances they are dependent on him, but Milan are a team of champions, the title holders and their squad’s quality is probably the best in the league. I am convinced that they are able to absorb this type of absence”, explained the former Palermo coach.
With an abysmal away record so far this season – just two wins – the Bianconeri have to capitalise on chances like these at home and get the job done.
Keeping Cool
Backs against the wall, the reigning Serie A champions have been going through tough times recently, with their luck abandoning them once more as they succumbed at home to Juventus in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia in midweek. The hierarchy, the manager and the players are in a difficult spot, and as things stand, disaster is sure to occur should they fail to pick up the pace.
A double strike from old-new Juventus player Martin Caceres on Wednesday ensured that the Rossoneri are still without a win in February. The team have so far failed to reproduce the form that saw them take Italy by the horns last season, but that should not be a worrying matter according to coach Massimiliano Allegri, who is backing Milan to recover.
“We have lost a few too many times recently”, admitted the Milan boss, “but we must stay calm and be confident in our own abilities, especially as we have an injury crisis on our hands and many players cannot rest the way they ought to. There is no pressure on us, because I know the strength of my squad. We’ve got to continue working to emerge from this situation.”
Facing an important clash with Arsenal next week as Champions League action resumes, a morale-sapping defeat at Udinese would be a disaster.
Recent form
Udinese:
Juventus 2-1 Udinese (28/01; Serie A)
Udinese 2-1 Lecce (01/02; Serie A)
Fiorentina 3-2 Udinese (05/02; Serie A)
AC Milan:
Lazio 2-0 AC Milan (01/02; Serie A)
AC Milan 0-0 Napoli (05/02; Serie A)
AC Milan 1-2 Juventus (08/02; Coppa Italia)
Key absences
Udinese: Giampiero Pinzi; Kwadwo Asamoah; Emmanuel Agyemang; Barreto; Floro Flores (doubt)
AC Milan: Christian Abbiati (doubt); Alessandro Nesta (doubt); Sulley Muntari (international duty); Rodney Strasser; Alexander Merkel; Alexandre Pato; Kevin-Prince Boateng; Alberto Aquilani; Mario Yepes; Antonio Cassano; Mathieu Flamini; Gennaro Gattuso; Zlatan Ibrahimovic (suspended)
Players to watch
Udinese – Antonio di Natale: The club legend is the man to make a win happen for the southern Italian outfit. He will need to put in a strong display, especially with one eye firmly fixed on an Azzurri call-up for this summer’s European Championship.
AC Milan – Robinho: The misfiring Brazilian has been under the magnifying glass recently for some poor performances. With Cassano, Pato and Ibrahimovic all missing, he will have to show glimpses of the teenage wonder years that had half of Europe on his trail.
Match Prediction
Udinese hold a very real opportunity in their hands to beat the Rossoneri With Milan suffering from low morale and poor form, combined with an injury crisis, the hosts can grab this chance. Udinese 1-0 AC Milan.
This Serie A clash is hugely important. Who comes out on top in Udinese v AC Milan? Make sure you visit OLBG for tips and to compare the current odds and betting markets available at all the important bookmakers.
