Despite having nothing to play for in Serie A, a dogged performance from Udinese almost saw them keep Juventus at bay. However, a 2-0 win for the Bianconeri put them in the box seat for a UEFA Champions League berth for next season.
Both sides battled gamely in the opening exchanges, though Udinese’s Hassane Kamara went straight into the book after a nasty-looking challenge just three minutes in. Team-mate Sandi Lovric, soon joined him as the visitors attempted to knock the Bianconeri out of their stride.
Midway through the half, Juve had recorded an astonishing 81% pass completion statistic with Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceição particularly busy. It restricted the visitors to the occasional foray upfield, where Lloyd Kelly and Renato Veiga were equal to anything that Keinan Davis and his attacking colleagues could muster.
Juve continued to pour forward as half time approached, with Andrea Cambiasso’s fine strike just after the half hour needing a save low down to his left from Maduka Okoye to keep the score goalless.
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The goalkeeper was called upon again during injury time and though he was equal to Nicolás González’s fine strike, Lady Luck was on his side as he spilled the ball before it struck the upright and away from danger.
Soon after the break, Conceição bent a stunning long-range effort goalwards and only Okoye’s fingertips stopped the hosts from taking the lead.
It seemed to be just a matter of time before the home support would be able to celebrate a goal and with an hour gone González made room for himself in a congested penalty area before letting fly with a left-foot shot that found the top corner.
Jesper Karlstrom had gone close for the visitors, forcing Michele Di Gregorio into a fine save, but in truth their chances were few and far between.
With 20 minutes to play it was all Juventus, and Udinese’s Oumar Solet, Christian Kabasele and Thomas Kristensen deserve huge credit for a backs-against-the-wall defensive performance to keep the score down.
As the visitors attempted to get back on terms, a magnificent break saw the ball worked to substitute, Dušan Vlahović, whose arrowed left-foot drive left Okoye with no chance and ended the game as a contest.
Every Udinese player can at least hold their heads high despite the loss against a Juventus side whose incessant onslaught should really have brought a greater reward.
Serie A’s ‘Old Lady’ still have to win their final game of the season against Venezia if they want to guarantee Champions League football next season, whilst the Little Zebras can only finish in 11th place at best, no matter the result against UEFA Conference League chasing Fiorentina.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Francisco Conceição (Juventus)
See a summary of the match here.