The trap is served. Milan fell to Udinese's goal, made up of organization, racing and lethal restarts, made up for their second consecutive defeat in the league (the tenth in 27 matchdays) and, above all, took a noticeable step backwards compared to the last good performances. “It's more of a misstep even though we've done better lately – admitted Seedorf at the press conference. – The team had the right attitude at the start of the match, we were in control. Then we made a few mistakes too many and we paid for it." Indeed, the one seen in Friuli was a double-faced Milan. Gamba, ideas and quality in the first half, confusion, laxity and distraction in the second. And since the team scores with a dropper despite the plethora of offensive players, the result is always the same: along with the physical decline also come the goals of the opponents. It must also be said that, compared to the matches against Atletico Madrid and Juve (which were lost in any case), there were a lot of backups on the pitch yesterday and this, in the long run, can only have had a negative impact on performance. Of the eleven who initially took the field at Friuli, only Abbiati, Emanuelson and De Sciglio should play starters at the Calderon, which says a lot about how much Seedorf wants to bet on the Champions League.
The Dutch opted for a massive turnover in all departments: Mexes and Zapata in central defence, Muntari in midfield, Honda, Birsa and Robinho in the frontline. Too many unknowns, which in the long run have been paid for. Above all the Japanese were bad, still too disoriented and far from an acceptable physical condition, but even in defense they have seen all the colors. Ready to go and Pereyra came close to taking the lead after a mess by Zapata, then, at the start of the second half, Mexes risked the crash by giving the ball away to Di Natale.
And Totò himself, in the 67th minute, gave Udinese the lead by completing a counter-attack started by Pereyra and finished off by Fernandez. Milan's reaction, which even in the first half had made themselves dangerous on at least three occasions (with Zapata and Pazzini, stopped by the excellent Scuffet), was all in a couple of free kicks by Balotelli, who took over for Robinho halfway through the second half. However, the good first part played remains, but it is a meager consolation, especially in view of the Champions League. On Tuesday evening, in Madrid, the Rossoneri will face a tough opponent, used to winning matches thanks to a frenetic rhythm, reassured by the 0-1 draw in the first leg and yesterday evening's victory (0-2 at Celta Vigo, double from Villa). “We are convinced we can win, we all saw the first leg” loaded his Seedorfs. Psychology aimed at charging the environment: on the other hand, in this unfortunate season, there is nothing else left to do.
