Saturday’s match will be the 99th encounter between Udinese and AC Milan in Serie A. So far, the record stands at 43 wins for the Rossoneri, 36 draws and 19 victories for Udinese. However, the last seven matches have been much more balanced, with two wins apiece and three stalemates. The most recent meeting went the way of AC Milan (3-2 at Bluenergy Stadium on 20 January 2024), but Udinese won the last one played at San Siro (1-0 on 4 November 2023). Udinese are also on a run of finding the net in 11 consecutive matches against Milan.
Udinese have started the season on the right foot, sitting on 13 points after seven games played. Over the past 15 seasons, they’ve done better only in 2011/12 (15 points) and 2022/23 (16). It is a completely different story compared to last season, with Kosta Runjaic’s side winning six of their last ten Serie A games (four out of seven this season), exactly the same number that they won in their previous 46. This year, they’ve dropped no points from winning positions, while they’ve gained four points from losing positions.
Udinese and AC Milan are the two teams that have scored the most times from crosses in Serie A so far this campaign, with six for the Rossoneri and five for Udinese. Runjaic’s side also lead the league in successful cross percentage, with 33%. It’s no surprise that Udinese and Milan also share the lead for headed goals in Serie A, with four each. Both teams also have zero goals scored or conceded from outside the box during open play. Udinese are among the teams to have scored the most goals between the 61st and 75th minute (three), a time period in which AC Milan have conceded the most (4).
Both Rafael Leao and Alvaro Morata have fond memories of Udinese, as it’s the team that they both made their Serie A debuts against. The Portuguese winger has also scored against the Friulian outfit in a Milan shirt, while, on the other side, Kingsley Ehizibue (his last Serie A goal to date) and Florian Thauvin both found the net in the last showdown between the teams. Thauvin is having an excellent season so far and, alongside Marcus Thuram, is the player whose goals and assists have contributed the most points for his team – six in total. He’s also second in Serie A for completed dribbles (13), just behind Leao (16). Thauvin has been substituted in every match he has played, while two players have played every minute: Maduka Okoye and Jaka Bijol. The goalkeeper is second in Serie A for the number of saves (25), while the defender has touched the ball more than any other Udinese player (390), completed the most passes (243), made the most challenges (16), won the most duels (37) and made the most defensive clearances (33).