AC Milans title aspirations fade further following crushing home loss to Udinese in Serie A

Massimiliano Allegris squad sought to regroup following the erosion of their Scudetto ambitions in the past few weeks with attention now on securing a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification.

The home side dominated possession early without generating clear opportunities as Rafael Leãos angled effort from range sailed high over the crossbar.

Udinese posed threats on the break and took the lead in the 27th minute to shock the Rossoneri.

Nicolo Zaniolo advanced purposefully and found Arthur Atta whose shot deflected heavily off Davide Bartesaghi before finding the net past Mike Maignan at the far post.

Christian Pulisic tried to spark a response by driving centrally before firing a right footed attempt just wide of the upright.

Yet it was the visitors who extended their lead dramatically as Jurgen Ekkelenkamp rose above Zachary Athekame to nod in Zaniolos inviting delivery for his fifth strike of the campaign beating Maignan cleanly.

Allegris stunned team pushed forward after the interval with fresh energy. Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye denied Luka Modric twice before producing an outstanding stop to tip Alexis Saelemaekers powerful hit onto the woodwork.

Sub Niclas Fullkrug and Strahinja Pavlovic also went close with headers in the second period but failed to hit the target.

Astonishingly Udinese added a third through Attas composed effort. With the opener recorded as an own goal this goal was purely the Frenchmans and deepened Milans misery in a humiliating reverse.

Questions will be asked after this concerning result with Milan having lost four of their last seven league matches after an unbeaten streak of 24 prior outings comprising 15 wins and nine draws. Title dreams are shattered and persisting issues might threaten their Champions League spot right up to the wire.

For Udinese this notable win propels them to tenth place and halts a sequence of four straight losses to the Rossoneri in previous encounters.