Serie A: Milan’s Title Defence Starts Here

AC Milan vs Udinese

Milan begin the 2022/23 Serie A campaign, at home to Udinese, in search of back to back Scudettos after their first title in 11 years, and the San Siro looks like being a sellout for the big kick-off.  

Stefano Pioli’s champions come into the game on the back of a strong pre-season, culminating in a 6-1 win away to Vicenza, while Andre Sottil’s Udinese had a successful opening in the Round of 64 of the Coppa Italia, winning 2-1 at home to Feralpisalo last weekend.

This isn’t a dead cert home win, I Rossoneri have struggled to dispatch Udinese in recent times and Stefano Pioli will be looking for a ruthless display to get the campaign up and running.

Talking Points

Expectations high in Milan

After the triumph of 2021/22 the Milan fans want more, and they are one of four teams the market gives a realistic chance to. The Serie A 2022 betting odds back Inter at 2.75, Juventus at 2.90, I Rossoneri at 4.00 and Roma as serious contenders at 9.10, but if Pioli’s side start as well as they did last term, with 11 wins from the first 12 games, the odds on back to back titles will drop like a stone.

The atmosphere at the San Siro will be electric with a full house expected and 73,000 tickets already sold. I Rossoneri have sold an incredible 40,000 season tickets, a huge increase on recent campaigns. 

There will be a few of the players who the Scudetto missing at the weekend. The departure of midfield enforcer Franck Kessie, who is now a Barcelona player, has split the fans, some who will miss his all-action displays and others who became frustrated by his inconsistency.

The physio room at the San Siro is a busy place at the moment. Olivier Giroud, who scored the goals which gave Milan a win on the final day of last season, has missed the last two pre-season games. But he is back on the grass and is a possible inclusion in the match-day squad against Udinese.

Midfielder Sandro Tonali looks less likely as he has a nasty muscle injury and is undergoing physiotherapy. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also in recovery from his knee injury so this weekend will come too soon for the legendary Swede. Meanwhile new recruit Divock Origi is now in full training and the former Liverpool mad could be ready to play a part.

This week’s Serie A 2022 news headlined with Milan’s signing of Belgian Charles De Ketelaere. I Rossoneri finally landed the 21-year-old Belgian for 32 million Euros and he’s already scored a hat-trick in Milan’s 7-1 friendly win over Pergolettese.

Fans will be also be looking forward to the return from injury of Croatian winger Ante Rebic and Danish centre-back Simon Kjaer… and all eyes will be on Rafael Leao. The young Portuguese attacker had a sensational season last term and he’ll be a key player again this time around. 

Udogie at Udinese for another year

The three-time Serie B winners have held their own in the top flight, finishing 12^th last term, and they will fancy another season in midtable. The club has received a boost with the news that exciting wing-back Destiny Udogie, recently signed by Spurs for an initial £15m, has been loaned back and will be in Sottil’s line-up this season.

He’s a mature defender who loves to get forward and he will provide a threat on the break. Elsewhere in the visitor’s team, former Watford player Isaac Success is a real livewire. The Nigerian winger loves to take on a man and, as Hornets fans will remember, has an eye for the spectacular goal or assist.

History

Udinese have made a decent fist of their head to head meetings with Milan over the last three decades, winning 16 and drawing 15 of the last 60 encounters, leaving 29 victories for the Rossoneri.

And last season Udinese put in a great effort in both meetings, which ended in 1-1 draws.  

Milan are unbeaten in ten at home while Udinese are unbeaten in five away and I suspect I Rossoneri will continue their run.  

Betting Tip

At SBOTOP odds of 1.39 to win, anything other than a Milan victory will be a surprise but, as last season shows, this is not a given. The draw is at 4.36 and the away win is at 7.14., while the double chance Udinese/Draw is at 2.75. But I think Milan will have too much quality for their visitors and a 2-0 win, at odds of 5.80, will not be far off the mark.

 

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