UDINE — A stoppage-time goal by striker Noah Okafor secured AC Milan a 3-2 win at lowly Udinese in Serie A on Saturday after the game was briefly suspended in the first half due to racist chants towards Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Racist chants Milan game
Udinese-Milan was suspended after Mike Maignan was racially abused by Udinese fans.
The match has resumed after Milan originally exited the pitch. pic.twitter.com/1Kv9pvMBNh— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 20, 2024
There is absolutely no place in our game for racism: we are appalled.
We are with you, Mike.#WeRespAct pic.twitter.com/GR52R7RR7G— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 20, 2024
Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek gave Milan the lead with a low first-time shot inside the post shortly before the match was interrupted in the 33rd minute.
Theo ➡️ RLC
Milan are inevitable. pic.twitter.com/35Q0eRGGKw— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 20, 2024
Maignan alerted the referee before leaving the pitch due to repeated racist chants from the local fans, as reported by Italian media, and was followed by his teammates to the tunnel.
The game was restarted after less than 10 minutes and midfielder Lazar Samardzic levelled for the hosts before the break before Florian Thauvin put Udinese in front in the 62nd minute.
Lazar Samardzic. That was lovely. pic.twitter.com/M5L9QVzXjd
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 20, 2024
SUPER-SUB FLORIAN THAUVIN SHOCKS MILAN AS UDINESE TAKE THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/1C5BnsU8ce
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 20, 2024
But Milan managed to snatch victory when substitute Luka Jovic netted on a rebound in the 83rd minute and Okafor made it 3-2 in stoppage time from close range.
Luka Jovic to the rescue for Milan!
Is there another goal in this game? pic.twitter.com/Hnjlm2imb8— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 20, 2024
NOAH OKAFOR AT THE DEATH TO GET ALL +3 POINTS FOR MILAN! pic.twitter.com/4ptbA3deKH
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 20, 2024
Milan are third in the standings on 45 points from 21 games, six behind leaders Inter Milan and four adrift of second-placed Juventus, who both have a game in hand. Udinese are 17th with 18 points.
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk, Editing by Christian Radnedge)