AC Milan welcomed Udinese to the San Siro for their Serie A clash this evening.
Mario Balotelli was the name on everyone's lips before the game and the stirker made his debut for the Rossoneri.
Massimiliano Allegri's side were looking to get themselves into fourth-place with a win, while Udinese had the chance to get within one point of Milan.
Milan started the game fantastically, with Balotelli, El Shaarawy and Niang linking extremely well. They took the lead in the first half through Balotelli, who capped his debut with a goal.
Udinese came out firing in the second half and got themselves back into the game thanks to a goal from Giampiero Pinzi.
However, controversy surrounded the end of the game when El Shaarawy earned his side a very dubious penalty in injury time. That gave Balotelli the chance to win the game and he did just that, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to win it with the last kick of the game. A suitably hectic debut for Balotelli!
FInd out how all the action unfolded on Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Good evening all! Welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Serie A clash between AC Milan and Udinese.
We've got a huge game to look forward to tonight. Let's kick off with some team news - does Mario Balotelli feature?
AC Milan: Amelia; Abate, Zapata, Bonera, Constant; Flamini, Montolivo, Nocerino; Niang, Pazzini, El Shaarawy
Udinese: Padelli; Heurteaux, Danilo, Domizzi, Gabriel Silva; Basta, Pinzi, Allan, Lazzari; Muriel; Di Natale
Well, there you have it; Balotelli is on the bench! Giampaolo Pazzini leads the line for Milan tonight and will be supported by the exciting talents of Mbaye Niang and Stephan El Shaarawy.
A few injuries for Milan tonight, with Philippe Mexes, Mattia De Sciglio, Nigel De Jong and Didac Vila all ruled out. Christian Abbiati and Kevin-Prince Boateng are suffering from flu symptoms, too, so will also sit out tonight's game.
Udinese start with veteran Antonio Di Natale up front, he will be supported by the in-form Colombian Luis Muriel. Francesco Guidolin will be hoping his front men can test Milan's defence tonight.
It's an intriguing fixture here tonight, both sides are in good form - a tough one to call.
Though, in the last nine league fixtures between these two sides, there have been 44 goals in total! Can we expect more goals tonight? Let's hope so!
Milan will be looking for revenge for the reverse fixture back in September when Udinese secured a 2-1 win as Milan finished with nine men.
Also, after Inter's shock 3-1 defeat to Siena this afternoon, Milan will be hoping to take full advantage and push for that Champions League place.
Udinese will see this as a huge opportunity to close the gap between themselves and the European places, too. I wouldn't rule them out tonight, especially with the pace and movement of Di Natale and Muriel against the particularly slow defence of Milan.
I think the game will be decided on whose in-form forwards perform tonight. El Shaarawy has been in wonderful form for Milan this season, but will Balotelli's introduction affect that? On the other hand, could Mario come on and give the side a boost... not long until we find out!
BREAKING: Balotelli starts!
Pazzini was due to lead the line for Milan tonight, but the forward has apparently injured himself in the warm up, meaning that Balotelli starts. Big news!
A dramatic start to life at Milan, but what else did you expect from Mario!?
Now we get to see the exciting trio of Niang, Balotelli and El Shaarawy - looking forward to seeing how those three link up.
The teams are on the pitch, not long until we kick off at the San Siro.
And we are off at the San Siro!
CHANCE! So close from Balotelli! The striker drives forward and gets his shot away on the edge on the box, but it just goes wide of the post. What an introduction that would've been!
Milan starting off on the front foot in the opening exchanges - very lively!
The front three of Milan have looked very bright indeed. The movement of El Shaarawy and Niang in and around Balotelli is a very good sign for Milan fans. Exciting stuff.
Udinese beginning to gradually get themselves into the game now. Pressing Milan back a bit more and looking for the openings.
CHANCE! Balotelli and Niang link up really well on the edge of the 18-yard box. The Italian forward plays a lovely reverse ball into Niang, who is denied by the goalkeeper. A huge chance!
Balotelli finds Niang again with a cross from the left-hand side, Udinese close down well.
Udinese break really quickly, but the wrong option is chosen and the attack breaks down. That could have easily been 1-0!
The game has been played at quite some pace from the off, both sides have really gone for it.
Mathieu Flamini is playing a vital role for Milan tonight, sitting in the centre of midfield. The Frenchman has already made several challenges to contain Udinese so far. He's definitely the safety net to allow the forwards to run riot.
CHANCE! Abate crosses to El Shaarawy at the back post, but the forward just couldn't get his header on target.
Niang is everywhere so far tonight - he's looking really confident and ready to attack the Udinese defence. The Balotelli effect?
GOAL! AC Milan 1-0 Udinese(Balotelli)
Who else would it have been!? El Shaarawy gets down the by-line to cross and finds Balotelli in the centre - he makes no mistake, volleying home to make it 1-0.
A fantastic start from Milan tonight, they've looked well up for this game - plenty of sharp passing and movement.
There's no doubt that the signing of Balotelli has given them a real boost. The players look like they're enjoying themselves and the San Siro is rocking.
CHANCE! Balotelli looks very confident, he's just hit a curling effort from 25 yards. Well saved, but there's more to come from Milan, it seems.
Milan are looking very composed and organised when Udinese have the ball. Compact and very difficult to break down - tactics working very well for Allegri so far.
Milan's fullbacks - Abate and Constant - have essentially been playing as wingers when the home side attack tonight. There's an outlet on each wing every single time.
Niang looking very confident again, bringing the ball down expertly on his chest while holding off the defender. Player of the half so far.
Domizzi goes through Balotelli with a strong challenge and earns himself a yellow card. He's not happy about it!
Fantastic ball from Balotelli, whips it across with real venom, but Padelli does extremely well to deal with it.
CHANCE! El Shaarawy is picked out on the wing by Balotelli, the winger gets a great ball across as Flamini charges into the box, but the midfielder can't get a strong enough touch on the ball.
The game has calmed down a touch in the last ten minutes, but you get the feeling that it could burst into life at any moment with the striking talent on display tonight.
Amelia hesitates on the ball and allows Muriel to close him down - the Colombian caught the goalkeeper and concedes a freekick.
Amelia doesn't look too comfortable, seems to be trying to walk off a knock he picked up in that challenge with Muriel. Abbiati and Gabriel are on the bench for Milan.
HALF-TIME: AC Milan 1-0 Udinese
Well, what a start to his career at the San Siro for Balotelli. Alongside El Shaarawy and Niang up front, he has looked extremely dangerous tonight.
Milan overall have really impressed tonight; plenty of attacking intent, lots of hard work and really well organised. They are frustrating Udinese.
You have to feel sorry for Di Natale up front in that first half - he's made run after run, but his team mates just cannot find him. He just needs one chance, though!
It's been all about Mario in that first half - there's no doubt about that. He looks like he's enjoying being the centre of attention!
Niang and El Shaarawy seem to be feeding off Balotelli's confidence - a fantastic start for these three talented youngsters.
It's only a one-goal lead for Milan, though! You cannot rule out Udinese in this second half, particularly with Di Natale and Muriel on the pitch. They have looked bright, despite the lack of service. I wouldn't be surprised to see either of them pop up with a goal.
Can Milan keep up the tempo they set in that first half? We're in for a thrilling second 45 minutes!
The players are back out at the San Siro - not long until we're off again.
The second half is underway!
Balotelli has a swipe as he tries to win the ball back and gives away a free kick. Genuine attempt for the ball, though - he's kept his cool.
More Milan pressure at the start of this second half - a very patient approach tonight from the Rossoneri, always looking to release the front men.
CHANCE! Balotelli bullies Danilo off the ball and lays off to El Shaarawy, whose shot from 18 yards is saved by Padelli.
CHANCE! Udinese finally find the run of Di Natale, who peels off the to back post, though he just can't wrap his foot around the cross. Very close!
Very encouraging from Udinese. More opportunities like that and they will find themselves right back in this game.
GOAL! AC Milan 1-1 Udinese (Pinzi)
Udinese catch Milan out with a quick break! A flick on from Di Natale finds Muriel, who puts Pinzi in on goal and he finds the back of the net.
CHANCE! El Shaarawy capitalises on a Danilo slip and finds Balotelli, who finds a yard and gets a shot away through the defenders. Saved well by the goalkeeper.
Milan have had much more of the ball, but still find themselves level. Udinese will fancy their chances now if they can try and keep Balotelli and co. quiet!
Ricardo Montilivo trips on the ball as Amelia tries to start a quick break - Udinese can't make the most of the chance, though.
Udinese definitely sense an opportunity here. Milan have noticeably dropped since the equaliser.
The likes of Lazzari and Allan are getting hold of the ball in the final third much more and looking for the runs of the front men. Milan will have to change their tempo if they want to restore their lead.
SUBSTITUTION! Bold move from Allegri as he brings Bojan on for Nocerino - he wants all three points, that's for sure.
SUBSTITUTION! Talented youngster Pereyra replaces Muriel up front.
CHANCE! Constant crosses from the right to Balotelli in the middle, but some brave defending from Heurteaux puts the striker off. Could have easily been 2-1!
The organisation of the first half seems to have gone out of the window for Milan. Udinese have much more space to operate in now and are looking to exploit that with the pace of Peyrera.
Great link up play between Niang and El Shaarawy, but the final effort from the young Frenchman is too far wide.
The crowd at the San Siro are unhappy as Milan put the ball out with Pinzi lay on the floor injured.
Pinzi is completely fine, of course...
CHANCE! Milan start to push forward and the ball drops to Niang, who absolutely blasts the ball at the bar from inside the area. So very close!
Bojan has made a difference for Milan since coming on - there's been a period of sustained pressure from the home side.
SUBSTITUTION! Pinzi is replaced by former Milan player Merkel.
SUBSTITUTION! Niang, who has been sensational tonight for Milan, is replaced by Robinho.
CHANCE! The ball drops to Merkel in the area, but he wanted too much time! Milan's defenders get back and clear the ball.
SUBSTITUTION! Flamini is replaced by Traore.
Milan have been awarded a freekick and it's Balotelli who stand over it...
Balotelli goes low and Padelli pulls off a fine save to keep him out!
That was a great save from the goalkeeper, he was completely unsighted and flew across his goal to palm it wide.
We've got an interesting last few minutes, here. Both teams are clearly tiring, but the forwards are looking sharp when they make their way towards goal - it could go either way!
The fourth official has put up the board - three minutes added time.
A low drive from Montolivo goes just wide after Balotelli was crowded out by Udinese's defenders.
PENALTY TO MILAN!
El Shaarawy is brought down in the area, but that does not look like Heurteaux brought him down.
Balotelli steps up to win it with what will be the last kick of the game...
GOAL! AC Milan 2-1 Udinese (Balotelli)
As cool as you like! Balotelli sends Padelli the wrong way to give Milan all three points. What a debut!
FULL-TIME: AC Milan 2-1 Udinese
Well, that was dramatic! Milan take all three points and go fourth in the Serie A.
Balotelli was, of course, involved in all the drama on his debut, scoring both goals - one of which was a last minute penalty! You just knew he wasn't going to arrive quietly.
Udinese have a right to feel aggrieved, though - it was never a penalty. The away side were desperately unlucky not to get a point from that game. The second half performance definitely deserved a point.
Milan were fantastic in the first half, but fell away in the second half. The frontline always looked dangerous and that's what has won them the game tonight. It was always going to be about Mario, we all knew that coming into this game - and he didn't disappoint!
That's us all done here tonight - thanks for joining us! Check out the match report on the game from Jack Prescott here.
Written by
Sam Hughes
Sam Hughes
