AC Milan were left still searching for their first
win of the season after being held to a 1-1 draw by
unbeaten Udinese.
Antonio Di Natale continued his record of scoring in
every league game this season with the opening goal
in the 29th minute, but Stephan El Shaarawy levelled
with his first goal in Serie A after 63 minutes.
Milan spent most of the second half on the attack but
Udinese still managed to create the best chances to
win the game and were ultimately unfortunate not to
extend their perfect start to the season.
Milan's hopes of picking up their first three points
of the season were dealt a blow in the 21st minute when
Alexandre Pato limped off after appearing to pull his
hamstring. He was replaced by El Shaarawy, making his
first appearance at the San Siro.
Di Natale is no stranger to this stadium, on the other
hand, and he scored his eighth goal here in the 29th
minute to put Udinese in front.
Gabriel Torje's cross did not appear to pose too great
a danger to Christian Abbiati in the Milan goal but
he somehow fumbled the ball to the feet of Di Natale,
who accepted the gift for a tap-in at one of his happiest
hunting grounds.
Milan almost levelled just before the break when Danilo
gave away a needless free-kick on the edge of the penalty
area with a foul on Antonio Cassano and Clarence Seedorf
sent his shot inside the wall and against the left-hand
upright.
Milan increased the pressure in the second half, with
Udinese resorting to a more defensive approach.
Cassano missed a chance in the 59th minute when he
beat the offside trap, but was denied by Samir Handanovic's
alertness.
The Italy international then turned provider for El
Shaarawy to mark his home debut with a goal, shooting
low across Handanovic and in off the base of the far
post.
The woodwork was rattling at the other end in the 75th
minute when Giampiero Pinzi's shot struck the inside
of the post and rolled agonisingly along the goal line
as Udinese looked for their chances on the counter-attack.
And Udinese had the best chances to win the game as
Ahmed Benatia forced Abbiati into a save at full stretch
with just three minutes left and the keeper made a one-handed
stop to deny Di Natale a minute later.
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