Milan – Udinese Serie A Week 32
Another loss dashed the dim hopes of catching Inter for the scudetto but beyond the unlikely hope is the growing realization that Allegri’s team was showing its limitations. It has been often repeated that the thin squad built on purpose in the summer of 2025 brings with it dangers. Having no European commitments allowed the squad to be only 23 man strong. Regardless of the 23 being enough or not the make up of the squad was something akin to unbalanced with only the midfield deep. The likes of Jashari and Ricci have struggled for midfield minutes eventhough the center forward position features only Gimenez and Fullkrug as true members. Nkunku and more certainly Pulisic and Leao should not and have shown repeatedly that that they are not the best fit as target men. The Napoli loss, mainly due to a lapse of concentration at the back rather than any of the above, only highlighted the need for more actual forwards and the obvious limitations of playing a 3-5-2 with the likes Leao and Pulisic up front. Indeed neither of the two started the game but came on later and as is happening more often Milan closed the game playing more of a 4-3-3.
The 4-3-3 may finally be used from the started. Leao and Pulisic’s fitness issues have played a part in it being less of an option but the Portuguese and American are clearly better suited as wingers or support players, perhaps even more so when less than fully fit. Gimenez’s return from injury gives the team an option but Fullkrug is of course another target man ready to start. The midfield change will of course be more apparent when switching to a 4-3-3. Wing backs or wider midfielders will give way to a more central three of Modric, Rabiot and Fofana. The back will require only two of Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter and Pavlovic. The latter two look to be more ready for now. Bartesaghi’s less than perfect cross or defensive awareness was a big part of the goal conceded to Napoli. He is still a player that deserves starts of course. Athekame looks to trusted for the right back spot.
Udinese do also play a 3-5-2 with Keinan Davis and Nicolo Zaniolo the probable starters. Kosta Runjaic’s team sit midtable with an improving recent form of only one loss in last five Serie A matches.
Visit the forums to follow this match and everything Milan.