Udinese club denied its guest, Milan, the defending champion, from ascending, albeit temporarily, to the runners-up of the Italian Football League, by defeating it 3-1 on a night in which the veteran Swede, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, carried the armband mainly, in the twenty-seventh stage competitions, Saturday.
Udinese was the first to score in the ninth minute through Argentine Roberto Pereira, before Ibrahimovic equalized from a penalty kick he missed the first time and the referee returned it following resorting to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technique due to Udinese players entering the penalty area (45+). 4) Amidst the anger of Udinese coach Andrea Sutil, who was sent off from the match.
With this goal, “Ibra” became the oldest player to score a goal in the history of the Italian League at the age of 41 years and 166 days, surpassing Alessandro Costacurta (41 years and 25 days).
Ibrahimovic carried the armband in his first start with Milan more than a year ago, specifically since January 2022, in coach Stefano Pioli’s squad, following he was recently called up to play with the Swedish national team at the age of 41.
Thus, the “Sultan” became the biggest captain in the history of Milan following completing his return from a serious knee injury.
The veteran Swede had previously participated as a substitute in three matches this season, following being out of action since May of last year following undergoing surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Milan did not congratulate his progress, as the Portuguese Beto scored the goal of advancing once more following two minutes (45 + 6).
In the second half, the hosts increased their scoring with a third goal through Dutchman Kingsley Ezebue (70).
With this loss, Milan remained in fourth place with 48 points, and might lose it if Rome beat its rival and neighbor Lazio on Sunday in the capital’s derby, while Udinese rose to eighth place with 38 points.
In two other matches, Monza drew 1-1 at home to Cremonese, and Bologna drew 2-2 at Salernitana.
The stage competitions will be completed on Sunday, when leaders Napoli will defeat Turin, and Juventus will defeat Inter, while Fiorentina will host Lecce and Sampdoria Verona.
