Milan: AC Milan's woeful start to the season got worse as it fell to a 2-1 defeat at struggling Udinese in Serie A on Sunday, in a match that saw the Rossoneri reduced to nine men. Mathias Ranegie gave Udinese the lead five minutes from halftime but Stephan El Shaarawy leveled 10 minutes into the second half.
However, shortly after the hour mark Cristian Zapata was sent off for a second yellow card for bringing down Ranegie in the area. Antonio Di Natale fired home the resulting penalty. There was more misery to come for Milan as Kevin-Prince Boateng was also dismissed for a second bookable offense. Milan has won one and lost three games in Serie A this season.
Allegri made several changes to the side that drew with Anderlecht midweek, with Ignazio Abate, Cristian Zapata and Djamel Mesbah all being included in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, his opposite number, Francesco Guidolin, brought in Mathias Ranegie and kept Giovanni Pasquale in the team despite Roberto Pereya's return.
It seemed Allegri got his changes right as the Rossoneri dominated the game from the first whistle and it took just minutes before they fashioned their first attempt on goal.
Riccardo Montolivo, back in the team following his injury lay-off, squandered the first half-chance of the match before Giampaolo Pazzini saw his second attempt in the space of three minutes saved by Zeljko Brkic.
Moments later it was 19-year-old Stephen El Sharaawy who tested Brkic as the starlet looked to continue his fine scoring record against the Udine outfit.
Guidolin's side did, however, eventually settle into proceedings and typically it was captain Antonio Di Natale who looked their biggest threat up front. The Italy international getting on the end of a couple of chances but failed to make the most of them.
The first half looked like ending nil-all before Ranegie rose highest in the Milan penalty area to nod home to put the host a goal to the good.
Despite Milan needing to turn things around, it was Udinese who came closest to scoring as the second half got underway. Brazilian Allan's quick turn and shot being kept out by Abbiati.
Di Natale then wasted another chance for the Fruili while El Sharaawy continued to pose the greatest danger for Allegri's side and it was he, ten minutes in, who leveled matters.
Following some good play by Kevin Prince Boateng, Pazzini laid the ball off to El Sharaawy who belted the ball home from well outside the box. It was his his third goal in Serie and, coincidentally, his third against the Zebrette.
Despite the goal, Milan were unable to gain control of the match as Udinese continued to look the more comfortable of the teams.
Just after the hour mark, drama broke out when Zapata, making his first return to his former club, was sent off for a second bookable offence. Worse for Milan, he conceded a penalty handing the hosts the perfect opportunity to regain the lead. Di Natale made no mistake from the spot, sending Abbiati the wrong way.
The Rossoneri failed to respond with the introduction of Bojan Krkic having little effect on the game.
Matters soon worsened for Allegri and his under performing side when Boateng, only on as a second half subsitute, received his marching orders following a second yellow card.
Down to nine men, the 2007 Champions League winners were left with a mountain to club and despite their need to at least try and steal a point, it was the Fruili that looked like extending their lead as Allegri's men struggled with the numerical disadvantage.
The match eventually ended with Udinese holding on to their lead to record their first win of the season. As for Milan, their crisis continues and Allegri's position at the club will now seriously be called into question.
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