Modric leads Milan to a 2-0 win at Udinese

Modric found another solution: his assist for Pulisic set Milan on the way to a 2-0 win at Udinese. The Croatian midfielder provided the spark for a result that extended Milan’s strong Serie A run.

Milan came into the match after a painful defeat to Bournemouth in the third round of the Europa League. Amorim made six changes, including bringing in Modric, who had not played at the Vitality Stadium. This time, the Croatian needed only a little over five minutes to make an impact. From an apparently harmless free kick near halfway, he created a chance for Christian Pulisic to go one-on-one with Okoye and finish.

Milan enjoyed some good spells after taking the lead, dictating the pace of the game, but could not sustain that control until the break. Udinese then tested Maignan with several shots from distance. Pulisic and Bartesaghi were unable to convert two deliveries from the right.

Milan returned from the break refreshed, and Hutchinson doubled the lead in the 65th minute. Gonçalo Ramos later saw an effort hit the crossbar. In stoppage time, Camarda and Comotto came on, while Loftus-Cheek, who had entered in the second half, had to leave with an injury.

The win was Milan’s second in a row, leaving the side unbeaten and level with Roma in the Champions League places. After eight Serie A matches, Milan sit fourth on 18 points, while 17th-placed Udinese have 4. The gap between them is 14 points. Milan remain unbeaten in the league, with five wins and three draws; Udinese have one win, one draw and six defeats. Across their last five Serie A matches, Milan have won three and drawn two, while Udinese have lost all five.