Week 27: Udinese – Milan

While every other rival for the top spots was dropping points Milan threw away the chance to gain on them and only managed a tame 1-1 tie versus Salernitana. The top four spots and Champions League places are anything but the most secure. The last weeks of the 2022-2023 season will be hard fought to preserve the riches of European football. In the meanwhile Milan found their fate in this season’s UEFA competition. The quarter finals pair Milan with Napoli. Milan were drawn in the more manageable side of the draw – along side Napoli, Inter and Benfica – and if things fall into place anything is possible.

With Napoli matches coming in April Milan has Udinese to play before the international break. Few surprises are expected. Other than Messias being out and Theo being ruled out late in the week with the flu the team is available for selection. Maignan, Kalulu, Thiaw and Tomori are the backbone with Ballo-Toure expected to replace Theo. Bennacer, Tonali and Saelemaekers should be the other starters behind Diaz, Leao and Ibra. The latter looks to get a start since Giroud ruled himself out with a yellow last weekend.

Milan sit in fourth place with a possibility of falling further behind if Juventus’ 15 points deduction appeal succeeds. This being Serie A and Italy that is very much a possibility. Udinese sit in midtable but will miss a familiar name through long term injury. Gerard Deulofeu is out after knee surgery earlier in the calendar year.

There is always more about this match and others on the forums.