A sub-par AC Milan side failed to get going against Udinese and dropped two valuable points, which could prove significant in the Serie A title race.
AC Milan squandered the opportunity to go four points clear at the top of the table, as the Serie A title race added yet another twist to the tale. They were leading second-placed Inter Milan by a single point after the Nerrazzuri dropped two points in their goalless draw against Genoa on Friday.
Rafael Leao struck the opener in the 29th minute after latching on to a cross from Sandro Tonali to give Milan the lead after a dominant period. The home side continued their good work and had a few half chances. However, Stefano Pioli’s men were missing the cutting edge in the final third, which probably cost them the game.
Milan’s inefficiency to increase their lead cost them later in the game as Destiny Udogie scored his first ever goal in a Udinese shirt. The defender was fortunate enough to get hold of a loose rebound in the penalty area and smashed it into the net from close range.
#MilanUdinese comes to an end. #SempreMilan @Acqua_Lete pic.twitter.com/jaPZPkufvT
— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 25, 2022
With both teams at the top of the table dropping valuable points, Napoli have been given a route back into the title race. It is becoming a hot contest at the top, with three teams now vying for the coveted prize.
Mike Maignan: 6/10
Maignan played his part during the game by making some decent saves. However, he could not do much about the equaliser and it would be harsh to blame him for it.
Davide Calabria: 5/10
Calabria’s focus on defensive duties may have rendered Milan a key man short in attack. The full-back’s usual ability to link up with the right-winger was missing on the night.
Fikayo Tomori: 5.5/10
Tomori put in a defensive shift and was largely comfortable, although he was somewhat at fault for the Udinese goal. He could have done better when in possession, with his passing sloppy at times.
Alessio Romagnoli: 6/10
Romagnoli continues to impress in the long absence of Kjaer, as he put in yet another solid defensive shift at the back. He should certainly work on attacking set plays better, as Milan tend to get plenty of them.
Theo Hernandez: 4/10
There has been a significant drop in his performances recently, with Hernandez producing yet another sub-par display from left-back. With his contributions at both ends limited, his only good contribution was averting a dangerous situation when Ante Rebic made a big mistake in the middle of the park.
Sandro Tonali: 6/10
Tonali has also been playing well below his standards, and he seemed to continue with his sloppy display from the Salernitana game. He did get an assist to his name, which his decent match rating reflects.
Franck Kessie: 6/10
Unlike Tonali, Kessie put in a good shift in the middle of the park as he looked to keep some control of the area. The Ivorian has been consistent since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Junior Messias: 5/10
Messias had a difficult game as plenty of factors affected his influence. The lack of link-up play from Calabria on the wings and Tonali’s ineffective passing failed to get any attacking play going from the right-hand side.
Brahim Diaz: 5/10
There is no faulting Diaz for the initiative he showed in the game, as the Spaniard put in some decent through balls only for his teammates to not take advantage of the chances. The big issue is Diaz’s lack of physicality, which is often exploited by opposition defenders, rendering him ineffective for large parts in any given game.
Rafael Leao: 7/10
Leao was tipped by The Hard Tackle to be the player to watch in this game given his form at the moment. The Portuguese winger scored the opening goal after a good first period for Milan and is slowly becoming the team’s biggest goal threat.
Rafael Leao is the third Portuguese player to score 20 Serie A goals ??
81 – Cristiano Ronaldo
42 – Rui Costa
20 – Rafael Leao pic.twitter.com/Npv5nkug7s— GOAL (@goal) February 25, 2022
Olivier Giroud: 5/10
Giroud had a busy game as he was constantly involved in the final third. While the Frenchman kept winning his aerial duels, he should have added more to their penalty box play. Moreover, he could not take some half chances that came his way to cap off a disappointing evening.
SUBSTITUTES
Ante Rebic: 4/10
Pioli sent in Rebic to change the game’s complexion, and he almost did it but for Udinese’s solid defending. He made two notable errors by giving the ball away and will count his luck that neither was punished badly.
Alexis Saelemaekers: 5/10
As usual, Saelemaekers worked hard, suggesting he should have started in place of Messias for this sort of a game.
Daniel Maldini: N/A
A bizarre substitution given Milan were looking for a late winner. Maldini came on and failed to contribute anything of substance.
