Serie A PREVIEW | Milan v Udinese | OneFootball

Milan will aim to get back to winning ways when they face Udinese at the San Siro this weekend.

Paulo Fonseca has been under tremendous pressure since the start of the new season as Milan have failed to make a positive impression across all competitions. Three points from Venezia, Lecce and the derby victory over Inter have kept the Portuguese manager’s job intact till now but things could change soon if he fails to deliver against Udinese.

The Rossoneri’s previous outing ended in a defeat to Fiorentina. Goals from on-loan Yacine Adli and Albert Gudmundsson sank the visitor’s ship with Christian Pulisic coming away with a consolation. Fans have been left distraught with their side’s defensive tactics this season and Fonseca has a huge job in his hands to keep the opposition forwards shut in the next few games.

Meanwhile, Udinese have emerged as the talk of the town in the early parts of the season as they currently sit 5th in the league standings, having picked up victories over Lazio, Como, Parma and Lecce. They are in an upbeat mood and will aim to capitalise on Milan’s woes this weekend to grab another three points to aid their momentum.

The Udine-based outfits fell just short of salvaging a point against Inter as Lorenzo Lucca’s 83rd-minute strike could not produce another goal in the dying hours of the match. Udinese picked up two Coppa Italia victories over second-tier sides earlier this season and that went well with their management and fans alike to continue their playing style as it is.

Results from their last five matches across all competitions

Milan:

L L W W L

Udinese:

W L W L W

Team News

Milan will miss Theo Hernandez as he must serve a suspension. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has returned to full training after recovering from a flexor injury.

Ismael Bennacer, Marco Sportiello, Alessandro Florenzi and Davide Calabria continue their tenure on the treatment table. Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are set to join forces upfront with either of Tammy Abraham or Alvaro Morata.

As for Udinese, Lorenzo Lucca and Florian Thauvin are set to continue their terrific form.

Martin Payero and Sandi Lovric are back from injuries.

Predicted XIs

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson, Gabbia, Tomori, Terracciano; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Morata, Leao; Abraham

Udinese (3-5-2): Okoye; Kabasele, Bijol, Giannetti; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN