Udinese won back-to-back Serie A games for the first time since October, as they defeated AC Milan 3-1 at the Dacia Arena and ruined Zlatan Ibrahimović’s return to the champions’ lineup, despite the man himself netting in controversial circumstances.Despite all pre-match talk being dominated by the return of 41-year-old Milan forward Ibrahimović, it was opposing captain Roberto Pereyra who stole the limelight early on, as Udinese raced into a ninth-minute lead. Fikayo Tomori was beaten to a ball and then caught out of position, as Pereyra slotted in at the far post, leaving Mike Maignan rooted to the spot.Stefano Pioli’s men responded well, but Udinese’s backline initially held firm against the waves of red and black, who were already desperate to avoid a fourth loss across six Serie A away games in 2023. Yet, as is the way of reigning champions, Milan did eventually find an equaliser. It came in controversial fashion too, during first-half stoppage time, after Jaka Bijol was harshly punished for a handball offence inside the area to gift the Rossoneri a penalty.Ibrahimović stepped up as he looked to successfully convert for an 85th time in 102 career penalties, but the Swede’s storybook return was seemingly trashed by Marco Silvestri, who saved his spot-kick brilliantly. His joy would be short-lived though, as encroachment from the Bianconeri defenders meant it would be re-taken, and the timeless man so often hailed simply as ‘Ibra’ made no mistake second time round, netting on his first Serie A appearance in over a year.Zlatan Ibrahimovic levels the score from the penalty spot.#UdineseMilan pic.twitter.com/2amAYPJ10j— $ (@samirsynthesis) March 18, 2023 Furious Udinese manager Andrea Sottil was sent off for his protestations, but by the time he got back to his dressing room, his side were ahead again. Now into a sixth minute of added time before the interval, Isaac Success’ cross from the left found Beto, who reacted quickest and turned in at the near post to revive hopes of the Zebretti’s first set of successive wins since in five months.Beto gets Udinese ahead again. 2-1.#UdineseMilan pic.twitter.com/zkgNk8zh0z— $ (@samirsynthesis) March 18, 2023 The Rossoneri appeared to still be shellshocked after the restart, and eventually found themselves further behind. Destiny Udogie’s shot was heading wide of the far post, but Kingsley Ehizibue arrived to steer into an empty net and put the contest beyond the defending champions, after a short VAR review confirmed Udinese’s first home win of 2023. The result moves them level on points with the top-seven, while Milan’s place in the top-four looks more tenuous than ever, after a third straight league match without victory.SERIE A – ROUND 27FridaySassuolo – Spezia 1-0 (0-0)/Berardi 71 pen/Atalanta – Empoli 2-1 (0-1)/De Roon 58, Hojlund 86 – Ebuehi 44/SaturdayMonza – Cremonese 1-1 (0-0)/Carlos Augusto 69 – Ciofani 61/Salernitana – Bologna 2-2 (1-1)/Pirola 7, Dia 64 – Ferguson 11, Lykogiannis 74/Udinese – Milan 3-1 (2-1)/Pereyra 10, Beto 45+6, Ehizibue 70 – Ibrahimovic 45+3 pen/Sunday14:30: (3.10) Sampdoria (3.05) Verona (2.65)17:00: (1.65) Fiorentina (3.70) Lecce (6.75)17:00: (4.90) Torino (3.40) Napoli (1.80)20:00: (2.80) Lazio (2.95) Roma (3.05)22:45: (2.10) Inter (3.40) Juventus (3.90)***odds are subject to change***
