Beto made the most of a defensive error, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s acrobatic finish gave Milan a stoppage-time point away to Udinese just days after Luca Gotti was sacked.
The Friulani fired Gotti this week and promoted his assistant Gabriele Cioffi while they sought a more permanent replacement. Samir was suspended, but Nahuel Molina and Walace returned from their bans, with Roberto Pereyra injured. The Rossoneri crashed out of Europe and could focus solely on the Scudetto, but Pietro Pellegri, Olivier Giroud, Simon Kjaer, Davide Calabria and Ante Rebic missed out, with Rafael Leao not fully fit either.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and ex-Milan player Gerard Deulofeu fired just off target, but Beto got the opener.
Ismael Bennacer’s error sparked the move, Beto sprung the offside trap running through the centre, Mike Maignan made a desperate save, but the ricochet off Fikayo Tomori fell kindly for the Portuguese striker to turn in at the second time of asking.
Molina tested Maignan from distance, while Brahim Diaz drilled wide after a quick give-and-go with Ibrahimovic.
Theo Hernandez had the ball in the net from a tight angle, but was caught offside on the Ibrahimovic assist.
Stefano Pioli made a triple change, introducing Franck Kessie, Sandro Tonali and Junior Messias. Ibrahimovic shinned a good opportunity from 12 yards, as did Brahim Diaz after great work from Messias.
Ibrahimovic’s header from a Tonali cross whistled past the upright, but Beto shrugged off two defenders to fire inches wide at the other end.
Just as time seemed to be running out in stoppages, Ibrahimovic came up with a moment of magic. Daniel Maldini knocked down a Samu Castillejo cross and Ibrahimovic acrobatically with his back to goal managed to flick it back over his shoulder to equalise from six yards.
There was chaos in stoppages, as Franck Kessie flung himself in the way of Mato Jajalo’s strike, then Isaac Success was sent off for first blocking Maignan’s clearance and then shoving Alessandro Florenzi to the ground.
Udinese 1-1 Milan
Beto 17 (U), Ibrahimovic 92 (M)
Sent off: Success 94 (U)
12/12/21 the day that Inter unfortunately won the title and worse adding a second star. They do not even need to win games when Milan is the Christmas present that keeps on gifting. I have said it too many times. Not enough quality, depth and experience to win the title. If we can get our act together next year, ACM will take another 15 years to win the league. Like Pengland they always come up short when it matters. Objectively Inter are superior in every department. Calhanoglu was right to leave as he might win something. Pioli is a decent coach but not a winning one. Diaz, Krunic, Romagnoli, Castillejo, Bakaoko and Kessie do not win you things. Rosario what is the excuse today?
@Uncle Z I totally agree with you. We have to hope that Inter makes a mistake but I just do not see that happening. What are the chances they lose points to Salernitana and at home. ZERO. Getting back into the champions league is our goal and we need to tweak the squad at the end of the season. We are missing 2-3 world class players that can make the difference. Putting hopes on Diaz is useless. There is a reason why City and Real sent him away as he does not score when needed. He had a great chance in the first half to equalise. Could not even hit the target sums it up. We cannot spend but buying too many young players could make us like Wenger’s Arsenal. Great to watch but never good enough to win the big trophies.
It really should have been Napoli‘s year.
Everyone was fearing Osihmen missing matches due to AFCON but this facial injury has devastated them.
Atalanta are good and will win matches, entertain, and have the neutral pull for them but they don’t play defense.
Lazio, Roma, Fiorentina, Juve. Damage done. None will finish top 4.
Verona have been exciting this season but not elite.
people are quick to criticise, the players criticized above are still very young. It’s gradual process to full development. in fact, you can’t expect any team on earth to win I every match day( implausible). remember, opponents are professionals not zombies.even bayern, madrid, city, psg, Liverpool also sometimes struggles to keep the momentum. who will predict almighty Barcelona found themselves in this mess? machines even needs services monthly not to talk about footballers that plays thrice a week.injuries hamper milan progress this season. I believe by January they will start to pick form. Fonza milan
If Milan do not win the title this year, I do not know when they will. Inter will only get stronger and at some point Juventus will start to gain more common sense. This is the year and they are out of Europe entirely and have no excuses.