AC Milan clinched three very important games against Udinese on Sarurday evening, coming back from behind to win 3-2. Noah Okafor was the big hero with the 93rd-minute winner, helping Stefano Pioli reach an important milestone.
Although it was a dramatic ending, and a positive one for the Rossoneri fans, the game was largely ruined by the disgraceful scenes in the stands. The Udinese fans racially abused Mike Maignan with chants and the game was even halted at one point.
The Frenchman played on, despite clearly being upset and affected by the abuse, and Milan managed to turn the game around after going 2-1 behind. Below are all the key stats from the game, with Pioli at the helm this time out.
An overall look
It was a rather scrappy match at Stadio Friuli, with many technical errors and breaks in the playing, resulting in little active playing time. Nevertheless, Milan were clearly on top of the affair judging by all of the important metrics.
Udinese did really well to score twice despite an XG of 0.5, in fairness, but Milan created the better chances with an XG of 2.61. The home side were happy to sit back for most of the game, it should be noted, resulting in the huge difference in possession.
📊 The stats from the win against Udinese pic.twitter.com/GVepaKGVOG
— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) January 20, 2024
Pioli reaches 100 wins for AC Milan
The gaffer reached a very important (and impressive) milestone yesterday, registering his 100th win in Serie A with Milan. He’s one of only five managers to achieve this with the Rossoneri, with the others being Carlo Ancelotti, Nereo Rocco, Nils Liedholm and Fabio Capello.
Furthermore, only Ancelotti did it in fewer games than Pioli: 165 vs. 166. In short, it’s a huge achievement for the former Fiorentina manager and he will certainly be happy with this, having also won a Scudetto with the Rossoneri.
With the victory against Udinese, Stefano Pioli reached 100 wins as #ACMilan boss (all competitions). Only Carlo Ancelotti took less games to hit that milestone. pic.twitter.com/6VD2g9oW7v
— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) January 20, 2024
It remains to be seen if he will stay at Milan beyond this season, with the management evaluating their options. Everything will depend on the rest of the campaign, but a lot suggests that his tenure with the club will come to an end.
Negative Udinese spell broken
Thanks to the win, Milan managed to end a four-game unbeaten run for Udinese at home against the Rossoneri. Prior to yesterday, in fact, Milan’s last win at Stadio Friuli was in November 2020. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a great bicycle kick in that clash, which his side won 2-1.
At 2-1, Udinese were also on track to securing their third consecutive win against Pioli’s side, which would have been dire for Milan. Even though Udinese have struggled this season, these things matter and the Rossoneri did well to bounce back.
Adli puts in a shift
As highlighted by the stats below, the Frenchman did indeed put in a good shift for Milan in that No.6 position. He has certainly improved his defensive skills, as shown by the interceptions and tackles made, and this is something that the Rossoneri really need in that role.
Yacine Adli vs. Udinese
➤ 90 minutes
➤ 107 touches
➤ 73/80 completed passes (91%)
➤ 2 key passes
➤ 3/3 completed long balls
➤ 3/7 ground duels won
➤ 1/1 aerial duels won
➤ 2 clearances
➤ 1 block
➤ 4 interceptions
➤ 3 tackles pic.twitter.com/F6nLiEGT9y— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) January 21, 2024
Adli remained lively throughout the game and cerrainly helped Milan in their push for the comeback, never afraid to attempt a difficult pass. And it wa epsecially important yesterday, as his midfield colleague Tijjani Reijnders didn’t have a good day at the office at all.
The details
Udinese (3-5-1-1): Okoye; Ferreira, Pérez, Kristensen; Ebosele (60′ Ehizibue), Lovric, Walace, Samardžić (60′ Payero), Kamara (84′ Zarraga); Pereyra (46′ Thauvin); Lucca (76′ Success). Subs: Padelli, Silvestri; Giannetti, Kabasele, Masina, Tikvić, Zemura; Camara; Brenner. Coach: Cioffi.
AC Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (75′ Florenzi), Kjær, Gabbia, Hernández; Adli, Reijnders (68′ Okafor); Pulisic (75′ Jović), Loftus-Cheek, Leão (94′ Musah); Giroud. Subs: Mirante, Sportiello; Jiménez, Simić, Terracciano; Romero, Zeroli; Traoré. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Gabio Maresca from Napoli.
Goals: 31′ Loftus-Cheek (M), 42′ Samardžić (U), 62′ Thauvin (U), 83′ Jović (M), 90’+3 Okafor (M).
Booked: 45’+1 Kamara (U), 52′ Ebosele (U), 56′ Thauvin (U), 65′ Walace (U), 71′ Lucca (U), 78′ Ferreira (U), 88′ Hernández (M).
Many criticize Pioli too often but the numbers show he does a great job. Don’t forget he doens’t have the same elite group as Ancelotti had. Maybe we should consider giving Pioli more credit.
“never afraid to attempt a difficult pass”- I think that’s the main difference in Adlis stats compared to many other midfielders with 90+ pass completions. Many of his passes are forward pass and not afraid of switching play with a long ball when necessary. A lot of midfielders lack that skill or the courage. Lot of shinny passing stats are filled with too many simple short passes by modern day midfielders and defenders. They just pass it to the nearest player under no pressure and half of their long passes are inaccurate. This is were Adli reminds me of Pirlo. Whenever received the ball and afforded the time they’d first look ahead.
That’s how you contribute to attacking moves from deep midfield.
Ugly win, but one we desperately needed, especially after what happened to Mike.
The inconsistencies under Pioli continued as he didn’t prepare the team well against Udine, who played a physical game (which they always do) and our players weren’t up to match it.
As we had seen before, we play well for 2-3 games, build a momentum, then lay an egg with displays like this. This is the sort of inconsistent plays we have seen under Stefano. But if we won the games we were supposed to, we probably wouldn’t be in third now would we.
The things Pioli did get right at least, is the subs, which provided a spark. He literally threw on everyone and the kitchen sink. Leao, okafor, Giroud, Jovic, all playing at the same time… luckily it paid off and we walked away with all the points in a game we had no business winning. Credit to Pioli there.
Overall though i would continue to regard him as one of the more successful coaches of Milan for everything had been able to achieve here given what he had to work with.
Looking forward to the summer for the next chapter. FORZA MILAN ⚫️🔴