Juventus returned to winning form in Serie A with a solid 2-0 victory over Udinese on Saturday, moving up to third place and leveling with Inter Milan on points. This marked Juventus’ first win since mid-October, a morale boost as they gear up for a Champions League face-off against Lille on Tuesday.
Juventus Takes Charge Early
The match saw Juventus capitalize on Udinese’s defensive gaps early on. After 20 minutes, Juventus took the lead when Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye inadvertently scored an own goal as he attempted to block a Khephren Thuram shot that rebounded off the post. Just two minutes later, Udinese nearly equalized, but English forward Keinan Davis had his close-range attempt blocked, keeping Juventus in control.
Juventus doubled their lead in the 37th minute. Turkey’s young talent Kenan Yildiz, making waves this season, saw his shot hit the woodwork, but right-back Nicola Savona seized the rebound and struck it cleanly into the net. With the two-goal lead, Juventus put Udinese under pressure, stifling their attempts to break through.
Udinese’s Frustration Continues
Udinese, strong at home this season, fought to get back into the game but faced a series of setbacks. They suffered another blow in the 52nd minute when Davis’ attempt to halve the deficit was ruled out due to a foul, eliminating their best chance at a comeback. Without key defender Isaak Toure, who missed the match due to a red card from a previous game, Udinese struggled to hold off Juventus’ persistent attacks.
Motta Praises the Team, Prepares for Lille
Juventus coach Thiago Motta praised his squad’s performance in this “important victory” and looked forward to the Champions League. “It will be very interesting to play against Lille,” Motta said, acknowledging that Lille has a slight advantage with an extra recovery day after playing their last match on Friday.
Motta introduced 18-year-old Yildiz to the starting lineup, an in-form player who continues to impress with his confidence and attacking skills. Juventus will need such energy as they attempt to improve their position in the Champions League, where they currently sit in 14th place in the group stage.
Around Serie A: Key Weekend Matches
Juventus wasn’t the only team with an eventful Saturday. Earlier, Bologna edged past Lecce 1-0, thanks to a goal from Riccardo Orsolini, moving them up to eighth place ahead of their Champions League game against Monaco. Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano praised his team’s form but noted there are “still things to improve.”
Meanwhile, Serie A fans are looking forward to a busy Sunday lineup, with league leaders Napoli hosting fourth-placed Atalanta and Inter Milan welcoming Venezia in what promises to be an action-packed day.
Juventus’ latest win adds to a tight race at the top of Serie A, with Napoli, Inter Milan, and Juventus all vying for the title. With crucial matches ahead, Juventus will aim to maintain this momentum both domestically and in Europe.
