Flamini is given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Antonio Di Natale’s strike in the 21st minute of the game was enough to see Udinese take all three points and send Milan home without a point. Despite dominating possession, Milan were unable to break down the Udinese defence. The introduction of Ronaldinho in the second half made Milan are more attacking threat however it was not to be. To compound Milan’s misery, Flamini was sent off for a second bookable offence on 88 minutes as Milan’s faltering Serie A campaign continues.

First half

Leonardo continued with this rotation policy he made a few changes that beat Bologna over the weekend. Massimo Oddo started in place of Ignazio Abate at right back whilst Zambrotta was brought back back into the side at left back. Flamini replaced Ambrosini in the middle of the park while up front Inzaghi was chosen instead of Hunter.

Milan started off the better of the two sides retaining possession comfortably. The passing and movement was good especially in the middle of the park.

It seems that Milan’s problem is in the final attacking third. Just as against Bologna, Milan retained possession well however were unable to threaten in the final third.

Milan’s first attempt on goal in the first fifteen minutes of the match, for all their possession, was a hopeful long range shot from Seedorf.

Milan continued to retain possession as the Bianconeri were unable to put together three passes in the first twenty minutes.

Udinese had their first attempt on goal on 21 minutes with a shot from Floro Flores.

GOAL Udinese’s right back Mauricio Isla with some great work down the flank eventually stepping around Kaladze and hitting the post with his shot. Di Natale was there to tap in the rebound and Udinese were up. From the Milan perspective, the goal may not have stood had not Oddo kept Isla on side.

By the half hour mark of the first half, Milan had not created one decent opening. Milan did come close soon after when a corner kick taken by Pirlo found the head of Nesta who’s header rebounded off the cross bar.

Marco Storari continued his good form in the Milan goal, saving well from a great long range shot from Inler five minutes from half time.

Seedorf was not having a great half. Pirlo sent in a great ball to the Dutchman who completely miscued his shot, though it may have been a cross, from a promising position in the area.

Milan were mainly restricted to long range efforts as they failed to break Udinese down in the final third. Flamini was the next to try his luck from distance and a good strike it was though Handanovic did well to save.

The first half ended and it was a similar story to that of Sunday night against Bologna. Milan with all the possession yet unable to create openings.

Second half

Shortly after the restart Udinese nearly went two nil up. Floro Flores sent Di Natale on his way and the Italian international raced away to a one on one situation with Storari but his shot, having beaten Storari, deflected of the post much to Milan’s relief.

Nesta was then booked as Floro Flores continued to make a meal of everything that came his way.

Milan were still restricted to long range efforts and this time it was Pirlo who tested Handanovic.

Leo made a double substitution of 57 minutes with Ronaldinho and Abate coming on for Pato and Gattuso. Ronaldinho came straight on to take a free kick from just outside the box, however, his free kick deflected off the wall for a corner.

Storari was called into action again and again the Italian did well to save this time from a shot by Simone Pepe.

Milan almost found the breakthrough on 66 minutes. Ronaldinho played a neat through ball to Pippo who was through on goal, however, the Milan legend was called marginally offside.

Soon after and it was Ronaldinho again creating trouble for the Udinese defence. This time linking up with Zambrotta and sending the Italian international through on goal. Zambrotta pulled the back across the face off goal and Seedorf pounced however the Udinese defence did well to retreat in time to block his effort.

Abate was next with an opportunity to score. Pirlo, who had swapped with Flamini to the left of midfield, crossed the ball and found Abate on the far post. Unfortunately, Abate’s volley hit the side netting.

Huntelaar replaced Inzaghi on 72 minutes as Milan continued to look for the equaliser.

Just as in the first half, it was Milan with all the possession. Huntelaar had his first decent chance on goal ten minutes from time but Handanovic did well again to save the shot.

Flamini picked up a needless yellow card on 88 minutes for descent and shortly after picked up a second booking and was sent off. Flamini, not for the first time this season, went in with a scissor tackle and with the referee just a metre or two away, Flamini was promptly given his orders.

Sanchez, who had come on for Udinese, tested Storari with a great strike from long range and once again, Storari was up to the challenge tipping the ball over for a corner.

Things were really starting to slip from Milan by this time. Seedorf, presumably out of frustration, picked up a deserving yellow card for a clumsy tackle on Sanchez.

As full time approached, Ronaldinho almost became the saviour. Beating Basta on the edge of the area, the Brazilian was through on goal, however, Handanovic did well to smother his attempt.

Four minutes of injury time and Milan were still unable to find the equaliser as Udinese held on for a win that sees them leapfrog Milan to seventh position whilst the Rossoneri now find themselves in 11th position.

Post match analysis

It was a similar story to that of the game against Bologna. Milan dominated possession virtually throughout the entire match yet struggled to create any openings especially in the first half.

When Ronaldinho was introduced in the second half, Milan did look a much improved attacking force. It was a smart decision to play Ronaldinho in a more advanced position just behind the striker and keep Seedorf as the attacking midfielder. Ronaldinho still does have the vision and passing to find gaps in the defence as was evidenced in the first round against Siena. The former World Player of the Year was able to create openings for Milan and almost scored himself at the very end of the match when he even managed to skip by the young Basta.

There is a real problem up front and this is why Milan’s attacks break down in the final third. Pato, who has struggled for form since the opening round, is not a creative force. So when Seedorf has a poor game like he did tonight, there really is no player up front to provide that final pass. He has also struggled to form an effective partnership with Huntelaar or Inzaghi.

Having been a almost guaranteed starter for Milan this season, Leo may have to try something different against Bari and drop Pato. Perhaps, dare I say, even trying Ronaldinho up front from the start to partner either Huntelaar or Inzaghi. Dinho did provide Milan with that much needed attacking edge when coming on tonight so it may just be worth a try considering the limited options available to Leo.

Seedorf had a particularly poor game tonight and this is why he receives so much criticism from Milan fans. One day he is the match winner the next day he is completely off cue. His long range shots tonight were dismal and some of his touches perculiar to say the least.

Massimo Oddo once again showed his incompetence. Having played Isla on side for Udinese’s goal, the former Italian international is not reassuring in defence and his crossing leaves something to be desired. I really wish Oddo had taken the hint and left the club in the off-season. Quite clearly Leo did not want him and with good reason. For now though, we will just have to put up with his presence in the side.

Flamini really needs to curb his tendency for studs-up scissor tackles. Against Marseille he was very lucky not to be sent off but tonight he was deservedly sent off for another dangerous tackle. The Frenchman is an industrious and useful player for Milan but he needs to be more careful. Milan cannot afford to lose players this season to needless suspensions.

On a more positive note, Pirlo continued to show just why he is so important to this Milan side. Pirlo once again dictated the game for Milan. Though perhaps not his best attacking performance, Milan’s ability to keep possession for long periods of time is much down to the presence of Pirlo in the midfield.

Storari continued his good form for Milan, taking care of everything that came his way. Nesta and Kaladze were solid at the back and Zambrotta tried ever so hard to be an attacking option down the left flank but his crossing was inconsistent.

Sinking to 11th position, it is not just the Scudetto that is slipping away from Milan but also that most important third place finish.

Next up is Bari at home this weekend. Lets hope Milan can regroup and get back to winning ways.