Milan vs Udinese – Serie A Tim 2012/2013
The Italian Serie A looks wrapped up with defending champions Juventus nine points clear of second placed Napoli. Napoli have set their priorities on keeping second spot, and face a crucial encounter this Sunday against third placed AC Milan. They claimed an important win ahead of this all important clash to move four points clear of Milan who managed only a draw a few hours prior.
AC Milan blew their chance to go second in Serie A after being held to a 2-2 draw by Fiorentina on Sunday afternoon. Former Fiorentina captain Riccardo Montolivo was enjoying the perfect return to Florence, scoring the opener before setting Mathieu Flamini up for a second, as the Rossoneri looked set to ease to victory over their fourth-placed hosts, who had been reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Nenad Tomic for a professional foul.
However, Massimiliano Allegri`s men went to pieces in the final quarter, gifting their Champions League qualification rivals a point courtesy of two penalties, which were converted. The Rossoneri have been the most in form side in the Serie A since the winter break, having gone unbeaten in the league this year.
Their recent home form has been impeccable, winning their last eight matches. Mario Balotelli has played a big part in AC Milan’s resurgence in the league. Since arriving from Manchester City on the last day of the winter transfer window, Balotelli has scored 10 goals for club and country, and has been the best player in the Serie A over that stretch. He is paired up front with another dynamic striker, Stephan El Shaarawy, whose style of play has looked a good complement to Super Mario.
Napoli earned a comfortable 2-0 home win over struggling Genoa last weekend. Goals from Goran Pandev and Blerim Dzemaili in the first half sealed the three points at the Stadio San Paolo with Edinson Cavani seeing his penalty saved in the second half.
Their run of bad form, which killed their title hopes, has all but ended after picking up three consecutive league victories and scoring 10 goals in the process. Napoli have been strong at home this season but have struggled for consistency on the road. They have managed only seven wins out of 15 away matches, drawing four and losing four. Napoli have talented players like Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsick however, it has been lesser known Swiss midfielder Blerim Dzemaili who has made the difference in their recent turn of fortunes.
Besides giving excellent performances and assists, Dzemaili bagged a hat-trick in their 5-3 win over FC Turin two weeks ago and followed that up with the goal to seal the win against Genoa. Cavani leads the Serie A scoring charts with 22 goals, five more than Udinese’s Antonio Di Natale, and will need to recapture his scoring form in this crucial encounter.
AC Milan showed tremendous fighting spirit in the reverse fixture back in November by coming from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against Napoli at the San Paolo. They are favourites to win at home but Napoli are riding high and will put up a good fight. The draw is tipped.
