Gilardino Wins It For Milan

Alberto Gilardino took full advantage of Udinese defensive errors right at the death to steal the points for Milan. The Rossoneri now continue their march towards that all important fourth placed finish. Udinese were unlucky but they were made to pay for their poor finishing up front.


First Half

Udinese started off brightly and Milan were on the back foot straight away. Pepe crossed the ball towards Fabio Quaglierella but Kakha Kaladze scrambled across to clear the danger.


Milan settled down well but did not get into the game until after 10 minutes Ronaldo showed all his Brazilian brilliance to spin and turn away from Cristian Zapata and the Milan forward played a delightful pass into the path of Alexandre Pato. The idea was right but Pato was reluctant to run through and the ball ended up into the hands of a grateful Handanovic.


Milan began to create chances and it was obvious the attacking trio of Ronaldo, Kaka and Pato were going to cause the Bianconeri problems all afternoon. The difference in quality around midfield showed but Udinese were well organised at the back.


Halfway through the first half Qualgliarella had a glorious chance to put his side ahead however replays show he was just offside. Milan were lucky as the player was clean through and had only Kalac to beat.


Kaka and Pato were really giving the home side a torrid time. On 26 minutes a nice one touch pass and move between both players found Ronaldo. The big striker tried his luck from 25 yards and saw his effort come back off the post.


Handanovic was well beaten and the goalkeeper was lucky not to concede an own goal after the ball struck him after coming off the upright.


Udinese created some half chances but they were forced to shoot from distance rather than try and play through a well organised Milan side. Antonio Di Natale and Quagliarella had a few shots on goal but they were comfortably saved.


It seemed as if Udinese’s game plan was to frustrate the visitors and hit them on the counter. Despite both sides enjoying their fair share of play neither of them were able to find the back of the net and they went in at half time with the scores level.


Second Half

Ronaldo got the second half underway with a thunderous left foot drive which had Udinese hearts in their mouths.


Milan enjoyed much of the early possession and Udinese seemed content to let the opposition have the ball. Just before the hour mark Kaka went on one of his trademark runs but rather than play the ball to Ronaldo who was free he decided to shoot, much to the frustration of his Brazilian team mate.


Milan were upping the tempo as the minutes ticked away however the home side were responding to whatever the Rossoneri through at them.


Just on the hour mark the Bianconeri’s tactics of breaking on the counter almost paid off. Di Natale used his pace to blitz past Daniele Bonera on the wing and the Azzurri star crossed towards Quagliarella. The former Sampdoria man went for the spectacular volley but he lost his footing and the ball fizzled out.


Two minutes later he was guilty of missing the chance of the game as Milan began to struggle. The Napoli native blasted the ball over from six yards. He really ought to have scored. Everyone around the Stadio Friuli was left wondering how he missed.


The game started to lose its rhythm after 75 minutes but Udinese looked the brighter of the two teams as the second half wore on. At times Milan’s attacking play was predictable and this made it easy for the home side to close them down.


Ambrosini decided to shoot from 35 yards and it almost paid the dividends that Carlo Ancelotti was looking for. The Bianconeri keeper was well beaten as he saw the ball flash past him but it clipped the post and went out.


Ancelotti replaced Ronaldo with Alberto Gilardino in an attempt to try and find an equaliser 10 minutes from time. The former Parma beat the offside trap with his first run on goal but he was smothered by Handanovic.


Gilardino however did find a breakthrough right at the death. Obodo lost the ball on the edge of his box to Pato. The Duck played the ball to Kaka who back heeled the ball to Gilardino. The striker swivelled, turned and despatched a lovely finish into the back of the net.


The player came off the bench to dramatically rescue his side as they continue with their chase for the Champions League places.


Teams:


Udinese(3-4-3) Handanovic, Zapata, Coda, Lukovic, Mesto, D’agostino, Eremenko(Obodo 55), Dossena, Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale.


Subs: Chimenti, Ferronetti, Siqueira, Isla, Obodo, Floro Flores, Paolucci


Milan (4-3-1-2) Kalac, Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli, Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf, Kaka, Pato(Emerson 90+1), Ronaldo(Gilardino 83).


Subs: Fiori, Oddo, Simic, Brocchi, Emerson, Gourcuff, Gilardino.


Goals: Gilardino 90+1 Milan.



Cards: Gilardino, Ambrosini, Quagliarella.