A beautifully-worked Antonio Di Natale goal saw lowly Udinese beat Milan 1-0 in Serie A yesterday to deal a huge blow to the visitors’ prospects of European football next season.
Former Italy striker Di Natale tapped in the winner after a slick one-touch move to give Francesco Guidolin’s side their first league win in four matches.
The 36-year-old has now overtaken former Fiorentina marksman Gabriel Batistuta, of Argentina, on the all-time Serie A scoring charts to stand alone in 10th place with 185 goals.
Mid-table Milan have 35 points after their third league defeat under Clarence Seedorf and are six points behind fifth-placed Inter, who occupy the last Europa League spot and host flamboyant Torino this afternoon.
“For commitment I can’t fault them. We lacked decisiveness in front of goal in the first half.
“Their keeper had to make saves,” said Seedorf.
Udinese moved up a place to 14th on 31 points with a win that will provide a huge boost to Udinese’s Guidolin who was under pressure at the club after a series of poor results.
“It was a win against a great team like Milan,” Di Natale said.
“It was a great performance and we did really well to defend at the end.
“It was a win for everyone – the team, the fans and the president.”
Milan rested a host of players with Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 clash at Atletico Madrid in mind, with Milan trailing 1-0 from the first leg.
“We are convinced that any game of football can be won,” Seedorf said.
“Everyone saw how we played in the first leg and that’s what gives us certainty (that we can win).”
However, even after bringing on striker Mario Balotelli, midfielder Michael Essien and tricky forward Adel Taarabt against an energetic Udinese his side were second best.
Milan started the match positively, with forward Giampaolo Pazzini going close three times in the first half.
He twice missed the target with headers before forcing a fine save from Udinese’s 17-year-old goalkeeper Simone Scuffet with a volley in the 32nd minute.
But the second half was a reminder of Milan’s performances in the weeks leading up to previous coach Massimiliano Allegri leaving the club, with Robinho’s header straight at Scuffet in the 49th minute the best the sluggish visitors could muster.
Di Natale’s goal won the match but it was a wonderful team move that allowed the striker to tap the ball home.
Roberto Pereyra slipped a neat pass to Bruno Fernandes, who slid the ball across the area to give Di Natale the easiest of finishes to secure a deserved three points.
Runaway league leaders Juventus, who have an 11-point advantage, host fourth-placed Fioren-tina in today’s early kick-off (12.30) while second-placed Roma face a tough trip to Napoli (20.45), who are six points behind them in third spot.
Results
Serie A
Udinese 1
Di Natale 67;
Milan 0
HT: 0-0. Att: 15,000.
Catania 1
Bergessio 62;
Cagliari 1
Vecino 53;
HT: 0-0. Att: 14,000.
Red card: Avelar (Cagliari) 73.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Juventus | 26 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 62 | 19 | 69 |
| Roma | 25 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 49 | 11 | 58 |
| Napoli | 26 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 51 | 29 | 52 |
| Fiorentina | 26 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 45 | 29 | 45 |
| Inter | 26 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 43 | 29 | 41 |
| Parma | 25 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 39 | 29 | 40 |
| Verona | 26 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 43 | 42 | 40 |
| Lazio | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 34 | 34 | 38 |
| Torino | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 39 | 34 | 36 |
| Genoa | 26 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 30 | 32 | 35 |
| Milan | 27 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 39 | 38 | 35 |
| Sampdoria | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 29 | 37 | 31 |
| Atalanta | 26 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 27 | 38 | 31 |
| Udinese | 27 | 9 | 4 | 14 | 30 | 39 | 31 |
| Cagliari | 27 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 27 | 36 | 29 |
| Bologna | 26 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 41 | 22 |
| Chievo | 26 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 20 | 37 | 21 |
| Livorno | 26 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 27 | 46 | 21 |
| Catania | 27 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 20 | 46 | 20 |
| Sassuolo | 26 | 4 | 5 | 17 | 25 | 55 | 17 |
Today – 15.00
Bologna vs Sassuolo
Chievo vs Genoa
Inter vs Torino
Juventus vs Fiorentina - 12.30
Lazio vs Atalanta
Napoli vs Roma - 20.45
Parma vs Verona
Sampdoria vs Livorno
Next fixtures
Saturday: 20.45 Verona vs Inter.
Sunday: 12.30 Atalanta vs Sampdoria. 15.00 Cagliari vs Lazio; Livorno vs Bologna; Milan vs Parma; Sassuolo vs Catania. 20.45 Fiorentina vs Chievo; Genoa vs Juventus.
Monday, March 17: 19.00 Torino vs Napoli. 21.00 Roma vs Udinese.
Serie B
Bari vs Lanciano - 1-0
Brescia vs Latina - 0-2
Carpi vs Reggina - 0-3
Crotone vs Cittadella - 2-0
Novara vs Spezia - 2-0
Padova vs Modena - 2-2
Pescara vs Cesena - 2-0
Ternana vs Varese - 2-0
Trapani vs Siena - 0-2
Tomorrow
Juve Stabia vs Palermo - 20.30
Leading standings: Palermo 50; Empoli 46; Latina 45; Lanciano, Avellino 44; Cesena 43; Trapani, Crotone 42; Spezia 40; Siena 39.