Allegri’s Tactical Gamble Fails as AC Milan Crushed by Udinese at San Siro

AC Milan endured a damaging 0–3 defeat at home to Udinese in Serie A, with Massimiliano Allegri’s tactical experiment backfiring badly. The switch to a 4-3-3 formation failed to bring balance, and now even a top-three finish is under serious threat for the Rossoneri.
Udinese struck first in the 24th minute under fortunate circumstances. A driven cross from Arthur Atta took a deflection off Davide Bartesaghi, wrong-footing Mike Maignan and leaving the goalkeeper helpless as the ball found the net.
The visitors doubled their advantage before half-time, with Jurgen Ekkelenkamp finishing confidently after meeting a precise delivery from Nicolò Zaniolo. Milan’s defensive frailties were once again exposed, and the home crowd grew increasingly restless.
After the break, Allegri attempted to change the course of the game by introducing Niclas Füllkrug, but Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye produced a series of key saves to deny efforts from Luka Modrić and Alexis Saelemaekers.
The final blow came in the 82nd minute, when Atta completed a swift counter-attack to seal a comprehensive victory.
2025-26, Italy - Serie A
AC Milan - Udinese 0:3 (0:2)
Goals: Bartesaghi, 27 (own goal) (0:1); Ekkelenkamp, 37 (0:2); Atta, 71 (0:3)
AC Milan: Maignan; De Winter K.; Athekame (Fuellkrug, 46); Pavlović S.; Bartesaghi; Ricci S. (Fofana Y., 60); Rabiot; Modric (Jashari A., 72); Saelemaekers; Pulisic (Nkunku, 72); Rafael Leão (Loftus-Cheek, 77)
Substitution: Fuellkrug (from 46); Fofana Y. (from 60); Nkunku (from 72); Jashari A. (from 72); Loftus-Cheek (from 77)
Bench: Terracciano; Estupiñán; Tomori; Odogu; Gabbia; Gimenez S.
Yellow Cards: Rafael Leão 16
Udinese: Okoye; Ehizibue; Kabasele; Solet; Kristensen T.; Atta (Zarraga, 85); Karlstrom; Zaniolo (Piotrowski, 66); Kamara H.; Ekkelenkamp (Miller L., 86); Davis K. (Gueye Ia, 76)
Substitution: Piotrowski (from 66); Gueye Ia (from 76); Zarraga (from 85); Miller L. (from 86)
Bench: Nunziante; Sava R.; Padelli; Bertola; Mlačić; Arizala; Bayo; Buksa
Yellow Cards: Kristensen T. 46
