AC Milan dropped two more crucial points in the title race as they were once again held to a 1-1 draw by Udinese at San Siro on Friday night.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
Milan went into the break a goal up thanks to Rafael Leao’s exceptional work inside the box to outmuscle Rodrigo Becao and open up his body to finish, but in truth there was never the impression that the team were in control of the game.
An equaliser came in the second half after a spell of pressure from the visitors when substitute Isaac Success bundled in from close range, and after that the Rossoneri failed to really create anything in another lethargic and error-laden performance.
The result is another damaging one against a side in and around the bottom end of the table, and it gives Inter the chance to pull level if they win against Genoa at the Marassi.
Stefano Pioli made just one change to his starting line-up compared to the team that drew 2-2 against Salernitana as Franck Kessie came in to partner Sandro Tonali in the double pivot, with Ismael Bennacer out due to suspension.
There were a couple of early incidents of note as inside the first minute Rafael Leao went down inside the Udinese box when trying to latch onto a ball and he thought he had been fouled, but the referee Marchetti waved his appeals away, while up the other end Beto sent a header from a Molina cross straight into the arms of Mike Maignan.
As Milan tried to manufacture an early breakthrough, the away side again provided a reminder of the threat they pose on the counter as Molina fired a low ball in from the right that Tomori did well to divert behind for a corner.
There was an incident somewhat reminiscent of the Spezia debacle earlier in the season when Brahim Diaz was brought down but the referee chose to whistle early rather than play an obvious advantage that would have had Milan away down the right wing.
In the 20th minute Brahim Diaz’s nice pass through to Leao on the left side of the box, though the Portuguese winger dragged his low shot narrowly wide of the far post from a tough angle.
The opening half an hour was mostly characterised by a growing frustration about Milan’s set piece deliveries, which were almost always taken short and ended with a delivery straight into Silvestri’s arms or floating too far and out to safety. Davide Calabria did angle a fierce shot that fizzed low and wide of the far post in the 27th minute.
Having not created a real concrete opportunity, Milan took the lead just before the half-hour mark and it came through Rafael Leao. A ball was clipped towards the former Lille man and he held off Becao before steadying himself and slotting under Silvestri with fantastic composure to move on to 11 goals for the season.
There were two moments of worry for the Rossoneri; the first being when Leao dropped to the ground after a heavy landing clutching his ankle but he decided to continue, and the second came when Beto tested Maignan with a header that the Frenchman did well to clutch while back-peddling.
Udinese had a penalty appeal in the opening stages of the second half as a long ball over the top found Beto in behind Tomori and the Portuguese striker thought he was held by the English defender as the ball bounced in front of him but the replays showed there was minimal contact.
In truth the Rossoneri were struggling to control and manage the game in the same way they did against Sampdoria in the 1-0 win, often surrendering possession in dodgy areas. Arslan let fly after a free-kick was not properly cleared and dragged a shot narrowly wide just before the hour, but it might have been offside on Beto anyway.
Moments after Molina got the better of Theo and got in behind down the right but squared to nobody when he should have shot, a double change came to freshen things up. Alexis Saelemaekers and Ante Rebic came on for Messias and Giroud.
In truth, the equaliser was coming and Udinese got it in the 66th minute. A throw into the box was not properly dealt with and Deulofeu’s deflected shot looped up to Pereyra who hooked it back across goal where Destiny Udogie was waiting to bundle in from close range.
Milan had a huge chance to get the advantage back as Brahim Diaz flicked a perfect ball over the top to find Leao in behind and although he managed to knock it over the top of Silvestri, he was just beaten to the ball on the other side.
There was another big chance 12 minutes from time when Theo Hernandez’s deflected shot from distance fell to Romagnoli at the far post and the Udinese keeper saved well even though the flag went up, though the replays showed the call was tight and the goal may have stood.
Another change came with six minutes left as Daniel Maldini came on for Brahim Diaz in the playmaker role, and seconds later Romagnoli directed a header on goal that resulted in an easy save.
In the end Milan wouldn’t fashion any other chances in what was yet another indication that this side is lacking the ruthless streak required to seriously challenge for the title.
