Helping Udinese

An exceptional manager called Francesco Guidolin

UDINESE 0 AC MILAN 0

The last round of fixtures in the Serie A were of significance to two clubs. Maybe three, if honor is of any consideration. The two fighting for the last Champions League slot were Lazio and Udinese. Bari wanted to go down in honor. An eighteen year old Gandolfa secured that honor with an impressive hatrick. Lazio's dominance in the league had taken a shocking turn with Udinese's rise to fame. This last round of fixtures would ascertain their fortunes.

Udinese hosted the new champions of Italy, AC Milan. Milan had nothing to play for and fielded a virtual second string side. Didac Vila got his much awaited call-up while Allegri tried a Pato-Cassano combination. Amelia played in goal.

Milan approached the game with a narrow shape. The full backs did not bomb forward with both Abate and Vila concentrating on the defensive side of the game. Udinese's attack is startling and they are one of the few teams in Italy capable of decimating oppositions with their width. Boatang was deployed as the trequartista once again but he failed to impress in this game just like the two men in front of him. Seedorf started on the left of midfield but appeared to play out of obligation than interest. Milan approached the match with a strong sense of disinterest, looking unimaginative and lacking in idea. Udinese attacked but could not find a way though the highly acclaimed Rossoneri defense. Flamini earned himself a booking with a characteristic plunge which in any other league would have walked him to the dressing room. But his energy powered Milan's midfield. Pato was starved of service and had to constantly drop deep to get involved in the play. At the back, Vila seemed raw in his ability to defend with Udinese's forwards always finding a way to get ahead of him.

Allegri realising that a change was required replaced Van Bommel with Emanuelson. An interesting switch from a manager who has rarely displayed an undaunted attitude while making changes during the season. With Van Bommel gone, Seedorf slotted into the defensive midfield role which instantly provided Udinese with greater penetration down the centre. Silva made sure that most of the central threats were nullified with his pace and strength. The Brazilian was Milan's best player, again. But Udinese's posed the biggest threat down the left side with Armero. The left back burned the left flank with his pace and Abate often had to turn his speed by a notch to catch up with the Colombian. Sanchez finally unleashed a whiff of pace to whiz past Seedorf managing to draw a penalty. Di Natale stepped up to make it 29 for the season but Amelia produced a wonderful save. Toto however expressed his displeasure at being denied which I found rather amusing. Udinese tried very hard to break the deadlock and enjoyed a patch of incredible form in the second half. Milan frantically defended and were repeatedly saved by the skin of their teeth. It was clear that Milan had no intention of losing but they also had no intention of winning. At the end of the game, Fruili burst in celebration and immense joy.

Udinese had secured Champions League football after 6 years and dare I say it wasn't deserved. This team is a visual spectacle and an endorsement for Italian football. They don't just flatter but they achieve too. Udinese are a phenomenal attacking power. This win could be crucial to Sanchez and Inler's career at Udinese and might just encourage them to remain and work towards writing another admirable chapter in Udinese's history come next season. Di Natale refused to join a certain Turin based giant last summer. He will now surely become a reference point in the camp.

Udinese - /
Milan - /