Duda's magic free kick knocks down Udinese: Verona defeats Bluenergy 1-0

Udine, 15 March 2025 – A Duda's magic free kick gives three very important points in the key to salvation to Hellas Verona, who conquer the Bluenergy Stadium by beating Udinese 1-0, defeat after six consecutive useful results. The Slovakian's goal decided a match that in the first 45' was decidedly lacking in emotions and opportunities. In the second half, with the first substitutions, things changed a bit and Udinese, did not go far from scoring with the long-range shots of Ehizibue, Lovric and Zemura. In the end, however, the Bianconeri paid for their poor precision and inability to create opportunities in front of goal, cashing in on Duda's splendid goal from a free kick from over 72 metres in the 20nd minute. That was enough for the Scaligeri to break the resistance of an Udinese that in the final stages continued to be less than concrete and was no longer able to put the outcome of the match back into question.  

First half

Udinese immediately tries to take the initiative with a patient build-up from the bottom, but has to deal with the high and effective pressure of Hellas that slows the game. The first, timid initiative of the black and whites comes only in the 15th minute and is a shot from Solet from distance that does not create major problems for Montipò. Despite controlling the ball possession, however, Udinese struggles to raise the pace and also tries little to reach the Lucca mark. In fact, we have to wait until the 22nd and 24th minute to see the Juventus striker called into action.: in both situations, however, the 2000-born player gets to the header from a good position but Montipò is ready and neutralizes without any problem. The game plan thus remains unchanged even in the second half of a first half very broken up by Ayroldi's whistles and devoid of emotion, in which the home team plays the game but does not create and Verona is unable to take advantage of the few counterattacks available.

Second half

To try to give a jolt, Runjaic after the break, the double substitution card is played, inserting Ehizibue in place of the already cautioned Kristensen and Ekkelenkamp in place of Sanchez. It takes just 40” for the Dutch right-back to enter the game with a left-footed shot from the edge that goes wide, passing just a few centimetres from the post to the left of Montipò. The Friulians take courage and try to increase the volume of play and pace, arriving at the conclusion that just misses the opponent's goal with a shot from outside the area by Atta. After a quarter of an hour, Runjaic decides to return to the two strikers with the insertion of Iker Bravo in place of Payero and the Bianconeri continue to push, making themselves dangerous with the long-range thrusts of first Lovric and then Zemura. Verona cashes in, struggles but does not collapse and in the 69th minute, at the height of a good restart, comes close to taking the lead with a shot from outside the area by Duda, which whistles just a few centimetres from the post to the right of an already out of action Okoye. Preparations for the splendid goal that the Slovakian scored in the 72nd minute with a beautiful right-footed free kick from the edge of the area, which nestled under the crossbar of the goal defended by the blameless Okoye. The advantage completely changes the cards on the table and gives tranquility to Verona who in the final part of the match manages to protect themselves with order and compactness, from Udinese, for whom not even the final grafts of Pafundi and Davis are enough, even coming close to the encore with Kastanos at the last gasp. The scoreboard: Udinese (4-4-2): Okoye; Kristensen (Ehizibue from 45'), Bijol, Solet, Zemura; Atta, Lovric (from 81' Pafundi), Karlstrom, Payero (from 61' Iker Bravo); Sanchez (from 45' Ekkelenkamp), Lucca (from 81' Davis). All. Runjaic Hellas Verona (3-4-2-1): Montipò; Dawidowicz, Coppola, Ghilardi; Tchatchoua, Niasse, Duda, Bradaric; Suslov (from 88' Faraoni), Mosquera (from 69' Kastanos); Sarr (from 84' Livramento). Coach Zanetti. Scorers: Duda (Hellas Verona 72') Note - Yellow cards: Kristensen (Udinese), Bijol (Udinese), Ghilardi (Hellas Verona), Solet (Udinese), Iker Bravo (Udinese), Atta (Udinese), Kastanos (Hellas Verona).