Udinese 0–2 AC Milan: match recap

Match recap

AC Milan dominated Udinese from the first whistle, with their possession and shot volume suffocating the hosts. A first-half goal from Omari Hutchinson and a second-half strike from Christian Pulisic sealed a deserved 2-0 away victory.

Milan controlled the tempo from the outset, with Luka Modrić dictating play deep in midfield and Strahinja Pavlović marshalling a high defensive line that kept Udinese's forwards quiet. The breakthrough came in the 30th minute when Hutchinson latched onto a quick passing move and slotted home after a neat lay-off from Modrić. Udinese's best chance came early in the second half when M. Vojvoda forced a sharp save from Mike Maignan, but Milan's response was immediate: Pulisic doubled the lead in the 67th minute, cutting inside from the right and placing a finish into the far corner. Despite a late flurry of Udinese corners, Milan's backline, anchored by Pavlović's 8 duels won and impeccable positioning, never looked troubled.

Key factors

• Milan's overwhelming possession and pass volume (624 to 412) pinned Udinese deep and prevented them from building sustained attacks.
• Udinese's inability to create high-quality chances despite decent shot count; only 5 of their 12 shots tested Maignan, none from dangerous central areas.
• Milan's midfield trio of Modrić, Jashari, and Hutchinson outworked and outclassed their counterparts, with Modrić's 91 passes and 2 key passes setting the creative tone.

The Analyst's take

Milan's structural superiority—superior passing, shot creation, and defensive solidity—suggests this was no fluke. Against an Udinese side missing several starters through injury, the gap was inevitable. With this form, Milan look well-positioned for their upcoming fixtures, while Udinese must address their midfield creativity deficit.