Udinese Vs. AC Milan: Things Can Only Get Better, Right?

AC Milan are a club in crisis. Yet to register a goal at home in three attempts, the Rossoneri are firing more blanks than a cheap western movie. After last Saturday's 1-0 reverse to Atalanta and Tuesday's dour stalemate with Anderlecht, Massimiliano Allegri will be glad to escape the heckling of the San Siro.

Milan will be buoyed by the fact that they won this fixture 2-1 last season and the news that Riccardo Montolivo looks set to swap treatment room tales with Robinho and Alex Pato for a return to the playing field. The visitors have had two extra recovery days on their hosts, who needed go-to guy Antonio Di Natale to rescue a point in their Europa League opener against mega rich Anzhi Makhachkala.

Francesco Guidolin may choose to rotate his squad after Thursday's exploits and with a domestic game at Torino in midweek to consider. Red cards have certainly contributed to the Friulani picking up just a solitary Serie A point in three games and leaking no fewer than eight goals. If Udinese can hold their discipline, Di Natale is in the mood and shot-shy Milan leave their boots on the team coach, the fans at the Friuli may finally get something to cheer about.