Zlatan & Co did not take advantage of the fact that they were facing an unstable Udinese side and that collecting all three points would solidify their place at the Serie A summit. Stefano Pioli’s men just weren’t at their best, not even close – final score 1-1 at Dacia Arena.A slow start to the game opened a lot of corridors for the hosts to try and surprise the table toppers with counter attacks. Gerard Deulofeu and Beto caused the most trouble for Milan’s defense and after 17 minutes Portuguese striker converted a mistake made by Rosoneri defenders.Beto went all the way through to Mike Maignan and hit a low drive to the bottom right corner, but Milan’s goalkeeper did a great job at first and anticipated the direction of the ball. However, Beto gathered the ball off a rebound inside the box and fired home into the top left corner.League leaders were shocked but the conceded goal did not wake them up to a point for them to start playing more aggressively. The guests were still looking sleepy and sort of confused.Their first goal opportunities came minutes before the half-time whistle. First, it was Brahim Diaz in the 43rd minute – he unleashed a superb first-time shot from the edge of the box, but it flew narrowly wide of the left post. Seconds after Theo Hernandez had a goal ruled out for offside.Second half opened with a promising chance for Zlatan Ibrahimovic but he sent the ball too high, over the crossbar.Accuracy was what Milan missed the most. In the first hour of the match none of the shots they made went on goal. Diaz and Franck Kessie had chances from distance but their attempts were laughable.Festival of passing mistakes and inaccurate shots continued – in the 83rd minute, Beto could have scored his second but his run ended with a shot inside the box that flashed just past the right post. But it was the closing seconds of the match that brought more excitement.Ibrahimovic was at the right place at the right time – he fired the rebound inside the right post after the ball went to him in the box.Even though still top of the standings, Milan are in danger of losing that spot. Inter and Napoli have their chance to over take Rosoneri tomorrow when Nerrazurri face Cagliari and Napoli meet Empoli.At the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo in Venice, stumbling Juventus dropped points against Serie A returnees. Just when it seemed that Juventus looks like the team from previous seasons, a new setback followed. When it seemed that Massimiliano Allegri found the formula of continuity against objectively weaker rivals, Venezia happened to the Old Lady.The team that conceded 10 goals in the last 270 minutes of competitive football, was totally inferior in the clashes with Atalanta and Inter, was fearless against Juventus. Tthey deservedly reached a draw, pushing the giant from Turin to a not at all pleasant sixth position – 1-1Allegri will have something to think about in the days to come. His line-up with Bernardeschi, Cuadrado, Dybala and Morata was not able to make a lot of chances. They were struggling against Venetians, and were not innovative and clever enough to seal the victory.Especially if you keep in mind that Alvaro Morata made one of the best moves this season in the 32nd minute. The Spanish striker reminded of his best self, when he reacted to Pellegrini’s cross and redirected the ball into the net with his heel.Juventus had as many as 19 shots towards to the goal of Venezia, they tried in every way to break the lock. However, the hosts did not want to surrender. The home team realized that it was “that game”, when they could make a big surprise. Matthias Aramu’s amazing goal also pointed to that. The midfielder waited for the rebound and then knocked the ball home from just outside the box.Elsewhere, Fiorentina thrashed Salernitana 4-0 which led to the third consecutive victory for Viola, putting them fifth in the table – the first available spot for the next year’s Champions League held by Atalanta with a game less is now only four points away.Man of the match, as many times before for the team from Florence – Serbian wonder striker Dusan Vlahovic, who scored two goals – bringing him to 32 goals in this calendar year.SERIE A – ROUND 17FridayGenoa – Sampdoria 1-3 (0-1)/Destro 78 – Gabbiadini 7, 67, Caputo 49/SaturdayFiorentina – Salernitana 4-0 (1-0)/Bonaventura 31, Vlahovic 51, 84, Maleh 90/Venezia – Juventus 1-1 (0-1)/Aramu 55 – Morata 32/Udinese – Milan 1-1 (1-0)/Beto 17 = Ibrahimovic 90+4/Sunday14:30: (2.45) Torino (3.20) Bologna (3.25)17:00: (4.10) Verona (3.70) Atalanta (1.95)20:00: (1.38) Napoli (5.40) Empoli (8.50)20:00: (2.80) Sassuolo (3.40) Lazio (2.65)22:45: (1.20) Inter (8.00) Cagliari (14.0)Monday22:45: (1.45) Roma (4.80) Spezia (7.75)***odds are subject to change
