AC Milan ends Udinese's unbeaten run at home
AC Milan ended Udinese's unbeaten record at home in the current season of Italian Serie A football, overcoming a one goal deficit to win 2-1.
Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin's chance to celebrate his first ever victory against Milan was dashed by two late goals from Maxi Lopez and Stephan El Shaarawy.
Antonio Di Natale gave the home team the lead in the 17th minute, and continued to dominate the game against an off-color Milan but were unable to extend their lead. The loss ended Udinese's home unbeaten record since last April, and Francesco Guidolin was left to rue his side's lack of experience.
"We conceded two goals on the counter-attack. If we had been more prudent in a few occasions, then Milan would have struggled a lot," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
"We have got to mature, because the 1-1 was a good result, even if we deserved more. Instead of playing from a position of power, we poured forward to get things back on track and Milan punished us. Don't forget the Rossoneri can punish you at any moment. We have got to grow up and grow up fast," he added The win lifted Milan two points above Juventus at the top of Serie A, but the Turin side have two games in hand, while Udinese are six points off the pace in fourth.
Udinese took a deserved lead through Di Natale, who scored his 17th goal of the season. He exchanged passes with Gelson Fernandes and his shot took a decisive deflection off Thiago Silva to beat Marco Amelia.
But the hosts were made to pay for not taking their chances as Milan levelled with a rare counter-attack. El Shaarawy's shot was pushed out by Samir Handanovic, who appeared to be in two minds whether to hold the ball or push it away, and Lopez was on hand to net his first goal.
Milan grabbed a shock winner in the 85th minute with Lopez this time setting up for El Shaarawy, who slid the ball inside the near post from seven yards.
