Juventus beats Udinese 2-0: Gonzalez and Vlahovic bring Champions closer

juventus

2

Udine

0

JUVENTUS (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio 6; Alberto Costa 6.5, Renato Veiga 6.5, Kelly 6.5; Gonzalez 6.5, McKennie 5.5 (36'st Douglas Luiz sv), Locatelli 6.5, Cambiaso 6 (27'st Weah 6); Conceicao 6.5 (47'st Mbangula sv), Yildiz 7 (47'st Adzic sv); Kolo Muani 5.5 (28'st Vlahovic 6.5). Coach: Tudor 6.5.

UDINESE (3-4-2-1): Okoye 6.5; Kristensen 5, Kabasele 6.5 (31'st Giannetti 5.5), Solet 5; Ehizibue 6.5, Ekkelenkamp 6 (31'st Sanchez sv), Karlstrom 6, Kamara 5.5 (29'pt Zemura 5.5); Lovric 5.5 (15'st Rui Modesto 5.5), Zarraga 5.5; Davis 5. Coach: Runjaic 5.5.

Referee: Ayroldi from Molfetta 6.5.

Goals: 16' st Nico Gonzalez, 43' st Vlahovic.

Notes: yellow cards: Kamara, Lovric, Kristensen.

There was apprehension in the black and white world for the match against Udinese to face with an unusual formation given the absences. But the victory arrived, and so the Champions pass is really closer. Tudor will only need to win in Venice on the last day to be sure of fourth place, despite the umpteenth feat of Ranieri's Roma who follows at one point. The Bianconeri were promoted, last night, because they were willing and creative. Without suffering too much despite missing Kalulu and Thuram in particular.

The first chance is from Locatelli, with a right-footed shot that goes just wide on a suggestion from Conceição, and then it's Kolo Muani who misses a big chance in the 10th minute: he takes off but in front of Okoye he misses the final touch. Another advance is signed by Cambiaso, set up in the 35th minute: his conclusion is saved.

The Lady, although set up in an unusual formation due to the various absences, is not lacking in resourcefulness. And overcomes the first pressure of the Friulians with ease and then arrives quite easily at the conclusion. Behind, some oversights: but Alberto Costa is good at 41' to stop Zemura who went to conclude in the corner of the small area. In the center, how much the vigour of Thuram is lacking. But McKennie does his part in any case.

Nico tries at the end of the first half, but with a left-footed shot from outside the box, Okoye is superb and sends it to the post. The Bianconeri, with 75% possession and several chances created, go to the locker room with a fair amount of regrets.

Five minutes into the second half, Conceiçao tries a left-footed shot from outside the box: once again Okoye deflects it, and it hits the post again. The feeling that this is a cursed match for Tudor begins to creep in. However, Nico Gonzalez takes care of banishing the ghosts, with a dry left-footed shot taking advantage of Yildiz's assist (after Solet's carelessness).

Weah and Vlahovic enter to keep the energy of a team that has spent a lot. There are no other shocks, the thought of the Lady docks in the lagoon. A victory and fourth place would be certain, but this season nothing has ever been taken for granted, not even against the small teams.