Serie A Preview: Udinese - AC Milan

Kick-Off: Saturday, May 16 20:30 CET. Stadio Friuli, Udine

Let The Good Times Roll

Since losing to Inter at the beginning of April, Udinese have gone on a five match winning streak. While you might think that this run can be attributed more heavily to either the attack or defence, really, the entire squad is to be commended for their run of good form.

Thirteen goals scored in the last five matches has moved Udinese back into contention for a Europa League place next season. However, their defence, which has been quite poor all season, has closed the lid on opposing teams, allowing just three goals in this current run. The most valuable member of the squad lately has been Gaetano D’Agostino, who has scored an amazing five goals in the last four matches from his central midfield position.

Not to mention that Udinese have the added motivation of payback for the 5-1 pasting Milan put on them in December. Braces from Alexandre Pato and Kaka in the last match of 2008 gave them plenty of time to think about when they would meet again.

The Zebrette are missing Antonio Di Natale in attack through injury, but clearly they have done alright without him as of late.

Get Real!

Surely, now, the title is out of reach. Mathematically, they still have a shot to catch Inter at the top of the Serie A table, but it would require a mammoth collapse by the best defensive side in Serie A.

Milan needn’t worry about title talk though and should just focus on closing out the season in the best way possible with more wins. Their poor start to the season meant that they were always going to be playing catch-up football. That being said, it is admirable how they kept plugging along and slowly improved until now they are seemingly sure to finish in second place.

A special mention has to be made for Paolo Maldini, whose incredible career is quickly coming to a close. He made his debut in the Milan shirt on January 20, 1985 in this very stadium where he will now make his 900th appearance. While he will likely remain the rock that he has always been, the emotions will be prevalent for the Milan supporters.

FORM GUIDE

Udinese

12/04 (Serie A): Reggina 0-2 Udinese

19/04 (Serie A): Udinese 3-1 Fiorentina

25/04 (Serie A): Chievo 1-2 Udinese

03/05 (Serie A): Udinese 3-0 Atalanta

09/05 (Serie A): Lazio 1-3 Udinese

AC Milan

11/04 (Serie A): Chievo-Milan 0-1

19/04 (Serie A): Milan 5-1 Torino

26/04 (Serie A): Milan 3-0 Palermo

03/05 (Serie A): Catania 0-2 Milan

10/05 (Serie A): Milan 1-1 Juventus

TEAM NEWS

Udinese

The home side will be without the injured trio of Dias Felipe, Damiano Ferronetti and Antonio Di Natale. Di Natale will be missed in attack, but the victory away to Lazio last weekend showed that they can do without him.

The Zebrette have no suspended players, but Simone Pepe, Gaetano D’Agostino and Aleksandar Lukovic are one caution from suspension.

Possible Formation (4-3-3): Handanovic; Isla, Zapata, Domizzi, Pasquale; Inler, D’Agostino, Asamoah; Pepe, Quagliarella, Sanchez

AC Milan

Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Marco Borriello and Christian Abbiati are out for the season. It appears that Dida’s back injury has healed and the goalkeeper will be in the lineup. Gennaro Gattuso played in the midweek friendly, and could see some time in this match after recovering one month ahead of schedule from knee ligament damage.

David Beckham and Giuseppe Favalli are both suspended for this match.

Possible Formation (4-3-1-2): Dida; Zambrotta, Senderos, Maldini, Jankulovski; Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka; Pato, Inzaghi

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Udinese

Fabio Quagliarella is being tipped for a big move in the summer once again, but he will surely give his all for the Udinese shirt in the last few matches of the season. Gaetano D’Agostino has five goals in the last four matches, and will be eager to add to his total against Serie A’s second-best defensive side.

AC Milan

Kaka was not very good against Juventus last Sunday, but he should return to form in this match. When these teams last met he was terrific. Will Filippo Inzaghi continue to score goals? I don’t know, but he was one of the few people on the field who actually played well last weekend.

PREDICTION

Milan had a bit of a slip up last Sunday against Juventus, but they should return to top form for what almost promises to be a thrilling encounter. Udinese have been playing extremely well recently with a free swinging attack and stingy defence. It will be hard to separate these sides, but one moment of brilliance, rather than any mistake, could make the difference.

Udinese 1-1 AC Milan

Joel Whitehead, Goal.com