AC Milan Faces Udinese in Crucial Serie A Clash AC Milan must regroup after a recent defeat as they prepare to host Udinese at San Siro in a pivotal Serie A encounter. The Rossoneri, currently third in the league, have seen their title hopes fade following a 2-1 loss to Napoli, which dropped them further behind Inter Milan. With seven rounds remaining, Milan’s focus now centers on securing their Champions League qualification, as teams like Como, Juventus, and Roma threaten their position. Despite a recent slump, Milan’s recent history against Udinese suggests optimism, as they have dominated the fixture with a 11-2 aggregate scoreline in their last four meetings. Udinese, meanwhile, remain in pursuit of a top-half finish, sitting 11th with 40 points. Their recent draw against Como ended a five-game losing streak for the visitors, showcasing their resilience. Manager Kosta Runjaic has rebuilt the Bianconeri into consistent mid-table performers, though several key players are linked with summer transfers. The team’s defensive solidity, highlighted by three consecutive clean sheets, positions them well for a positive result against Milan. Milan’s squad is largely intact, with Matteo Gabbia recovering from injury and potentially starting in central defense. Coach Max Allegri faces a tough selection decision up front, as Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao, who have scored eight and nine league goals respectively, compete with Christopher Nkunku, Niclas Fullkrug, and Santiago Gimenez. Pulisic, however, has struggled this season, going 13 games without a Serie A goal. Captain Mike Maignan, set to make his 300th appearance in Europe’s top leagues, will be key in containing Udinese’s prolific striker Keinan Davis, who leads the league in goals with 10.#san_siro #ac_milan #kosta_runjaic #udinese #christian_pulisic
Napoli v Milan: Who’s in and who’s out? Allegri is considering a Fullkrug-Nkunku strike partnership, with Pulisic, Leão and Giménez set to start on the bench The highly anticipated clash between SSC Napoli and AC Milan, scheduled for Easter Monday, April 6, at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, has become a pivotal moment in the Serie A title race. The match, set for 8:45 pm, could reshape the competition’s dynamics, with either team potentially emerging as Inter’s main rival in the Scudetto battle. For Milan, manager Massimiliano Allegri faces critical tactical decisions, as his squad is almost fully fit, with only Matteo Gabbia absent. The Rossoneri’s attack remains a focal point, with five players vying for two starting spots. Niclas Füllkrug has emerged as a surprise contender for a starting role, with Allegri reportedly trialing him alongside Christopher Nkunku in a potential strike partnership. This experimental formation could see Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leão, and Santiago Giménez relegated to the bench, as the manager seeks to balance creativity and efficiency. Füllkrug’s inclusion signals a shift in Milan’s attacking strategy, while Nkunku’s presence adds versatility. The decision to pair them could test their chemistry, as both players bring distinct strengths to the forward line. Napoli, meanwhile, faces a significant challenge due to injuries, with manager Antonio Conte missing five key players: Lorenzo Insigne, Victor Osimhen, Kalidou Koulibaly, Matteo Neres, and Federico Chiesa. This leaves Conte with limited options to address the defensive and attacking gaps. The only available natural striker is Giovane Elber, who has fallen out of favor after limited appearances in recent matches.#napoli #milan #massimiliano_allegri #christian_pulisic #diego_armando_maradona_stadium
USMNT handed pre-World Cup 'reality check' in rout by Belgium The United States men’s national team faced a significant setback in its World Cup preparations as Belgium dominated the second half to secure a 5-2 victory at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. The result marked the U.S.’s worst home defeat since an 8-1 loss to England in 1959, according to Opta. The match exposed defensive vulnerabilities and highlighted the challenges the team faces ahead of the tournament. The U.S. started strongly, with Weston McKennie scoring the opening goal in the 39th minute off a corner from Antonee Robinson. This was McKennie’s 12th international goal and his first in over three years. However, Belgium quickly responded with a long-range equalizer from Zeno Debast just before halftime. The visitors then surged ahead in the second half, scoring three goals within a 15-minute span to overwhelm the U.S. defense. Amadou Onana opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, followed by Charles De Ketelaere’s penalty in the 59th minute. Dodi Lukebakio extended Belgium’s lead with a curling shot into the top corner, and he added a second goal in the 82nd minute. U.S. substitute Patrick Agyemang scored in the 87th minute, but the damage was already done. Manager Luis Pochettino acknowledged the defeat as a necessary “reality check” for the team, emphasizing the importance of competitive matches to prepare for the World Cup. “We need to arrive at the World Cup in our best condition,” he said. “It’s good to feel that, but if we want to win the tournament, we need to face challenges like this.” Pochettino also praised the U.S.’s first-half performance, noting they played better than Belgium but conceded late in the first half, which disrupted their momentum.#belgium #usmnt #luis_pochettino #christian_pulisic #patrick_agyemang
