AC MILAN v UDINESE: MATCH PREVIEW

Here we go. 83 days after the unforgettable afternoon in Reggio Emilia, Italian champions AC Milan open the 2022/23 Serie A season by hosting Andre Sottil’s new-look Udinese side. It’s a game that can’t be underestimated, against an opponent that went unbeaten against the Rossoneri last year, in front of a packed San Siro. It’s a challenge that we will introduce with our usual Match Preview. 

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
In May, AC Milan concluded the season with six consecutive victories, claiming the Scudetto; in August the Rossoneri will start again after a successful pre-season and a few changes with the arrival of Yacine Adli, Charles De Ketelaere and Divock Origi. All three, as confirmed by Stefano Pioli, are available for the game at San Siro. The one absence in the squad will be Sandro Tonali, whose recovery from the fatigue of the Vicenza match is going well. Given the lack of players unavailable, there are many possibilities available for the coach: in the middle we could see the pairing of Krunić and Bennacer, Messias and Saelemaekers in the supporting midfield three with Díaz favourite as a Number Ten. 

"We will not need to mediate between the enthusiasm of last season and the emotion for the new campaign", Stefano Pioli said on the eve of the game. "To see San Siro full on 13 August will be special, and we need to take energy from that. We’re starting again from zero points, but with an awareness of what we are and what our path has been. Udinese are really difficult opponents, with a new manager but nothing new on the pitch. They are physical – much more than us – and organised, so we need to be shrewd and astute to take advantage of each situation. It will also be important to move well without the ball, in a compact way".

LATEST FROM UDINESE
The season starting today is a special one for Udinese as it’s the 50th year they have competed in Serie A in their history. The Fruilians were one of the five teams to change coaching staff; saying goodbye to Cioffi and welcoming Sottil to the dugout. For the coach, who is not only from Piedmont but also used to play for the bianconeri, it is his first managerial experience in the top flight after a successful year in Serie B with Ascoli. There have been some changes to the squad list over the summer, especially in defence: some of whom already turned out last weekend in the 2-1 win over Feralpisalò in the first round of the Coppa Italia. This match saw Udinese take to the field with Silvestri in goal; Pérez, Bijol, and Masina in defence; Soppy, Pereyra, Lovric, Makengo and Ebosse in midfield; with Success and Deulofeu up top and both on the scoresheet. With regard to the cup game, the recoveries of Becão, Beto and Walace should be noted. Arslan, Buta and Jajalo will be unavailable.

"I certainly don’t see AC Milan as a broken team, made up of great players," Andrea Sottil commented on the eve of the match. "Pioli has crafted a clear identity for his team, playing good football which allows them to win on merit. The Rossoneri play from memory and will be supported by an army of seventy thousand people in the stands. We have to play with courage: we have quality, we just have to show it when we have the ball at our feet. We will be ready".

LATEST FROM SERIE A
37 year-old Tivoli Livio Marinelli was appointed to officiate the match between AC Milan and Udinese in his 25th game in Serie A. The referee from Lazio officiated both AC Milan and Udinese for the first time last season: his only previous encounter with the Rossoneri was their 0-0 draw with Bologna on 4 April, and with the Fruilians, a victory and a draw between August and October 2021. Assisting him will be the two linesmen Bottegoni and Galetto and fourth official Gariglio; the VAR official will be Mazzoleni, aided by Brfesmes.

As well as the match at San Siro, the first day of the new campaign will also feature Sampdoria’s clash with Atalanta at 18:30 CEST on Saturday and, at 20:45 CEST, both Lecce v Inter and Monza v Torino. The four games scheduled for Sunday are as follows: Fiorentina v Cremonese and Lazio v Bologna at 18:30 CEST and Salernitana v Roma and Spezia – Empoli at 20:45 CEST. To round off matchweek 1 on Monday evening, Verona face Napoli at 18:30 CEST, whilst Juventus play hosts to Sassuolo at 20:45 CEST.

The PUMA AC Milan Home and Away Kit for the 2022/23 season is available: get yours now!