Udinese 0-4 AC Milan: Four goals but five stars for the Rossoneri | OneFootball

AC Milan put on a fantastic performance against Udinese on Friday evening, with the Rossoneri scoring four times and keeping a much-needed clean sheet.

After a string of poor results, Sergio Conceicao opted to change systems for the game, preferring a 3-4-3, rather than the typical 4-3-3, which we have seen almost exclusively this season. As a result, the first half was quite touch-and-go.

Until the end that is, where Milan scored twice in as many minutes; Rafael Leao scored a beauty from the edge of the box, whilst Strahinja Pavlovic nodded one home from a Christian Pulisic corner. A huge swing in the game.

The second half followed a lot of the same pattern, with the Rossoneri again leaving it rather late. However, goals from Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders further strengthened the Diavolo’s lead, as they strolled out 4-0 victors.

Milan actually opened the game with the first chance, after a defensive mishap by the Udine outfit’s defence. Unfortunately, Tijjani Reijnders’ shot was straight at the goalkeeper, and Theo Hernandez, who received the ball after the following corner, could not give the Rossoneri an early lead.

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The following few minutes were filled with the Diavolo attempting to find a way through the opposition, with Rafael Leao almost getting himself a 1v1 from a long Mike Maignan pass.

20 minutes on the clock and there was not much to say about the Rossoneri or their opponents. In fact, the play was rather sloppy, with Milan really struggling to find a clear opening, though it was somewhat expected with a new system on display. With that said, though, there were some bright signs shown going forward, even if they were occasional.

Attempts were made to move the ball forward, but it just seemed that every pass was slightly off, with nothing really reaching its intended target.

As the clock struck 30, the Rossoneri probably displayed their best, with Reijnders picking up the ball after some intricate passing around the box, however, the Dutchman could not get his shot away. What followed was Theo Hernandez receiving the ball outside the box, and whilst the Frenchman drove into the area, he could only win another corner.

Shortly after, Udinese had an attack of their own, and broke down the Diavolo quite easily, frustratingly, and Maignan was forced to make a save, which resulted in the ball falling into the path of Ekkelenkamp, but Gabbia was there that time to prevent much danger.

Though the half had been largely disappointing until the 40th minute, Milan decided to turn on the swagger a little, and seemed to want it a little more in the closing minutes.

Youssouf Fofana showed this perfectly, fighting to win the ball back before finding Rafael Leao on the edge of the box. Without a doubt, the Portuguese fired the ball home into the top corner with his first and only touch, a beautiful goal, and a showing of his confidence.

Just minutes later, the Rossoneri found themselves in a good position again, and won a corner. Then, Christian Pulisic swung in another excellent ball, and there were no doubts as Pavlovic rose highest and put the ball into the back of the net.

Two huge goals for the game, and perhaps the season, with the Rossoneri going against their typical trends.

The second half started much like the first, with the game struggling to find much flow, as neither team really got a foot on the game.

Then, there was quite a long stoppage as Maignan charged to try and win the ball with a diving header, but instead crashed into Alex Jimenez’s shoulder in some very ugly scenes. However, credit must go to the players and referee for the quick action.

Understandably, the Frenchman was rushed off the pitch, and Marco Sportiello replaced him.

Following the incident, the game experienced a bit of a lull, which is to be expected considering everything, with neither team really able to build anything of much value, barring a few half-chances for both teams.

Reijnders had an opportunity a few minutes after, dribbling well into the box, but he could not get his shot on target, unfortunately.

With the game lacking a little, Sergio Conceicao went to his bench, and brought Tammy Abraham and Riccardo Sottil on for Luka Jovic and Alex Jimenez, the latter of which was suffering with a head issue after the earlier collision.

The changes immediately had an impact, as Abraham set Theo Hernandez through on goal and the Frenchman drove like the old days, and with only one thought on his mind, he fired the ball past the goalkeeper at his near post. A sign of something in a season which has lacked almost everything for Theo.

Then, just minutes later, the beauty continued, as Tijji wrapped up the game, if it wasn’t already. A devastating counter-attack, with Leao and the Dutchman combining at the end. As team goals go, it was certainly up there.

Despite a few efforts in the final minutes from Udinese, the Rossoneri were able to keep hold of their clean sheet, which is a first since the win against Verona in February. A huge win and something to build from.