Two late goals by Cristiano Ronaldo meant Juventus return to Turin with three crucial points after they claimed a 2-1 victory over Udinese on Sunday evening at the Stadio Friuli.
MOLINA GETS UDINESE OFF THE MARK
Udinese grabbed the lead with just 10 minutes on the clock when they took a free-kick quickly that took the Bianconeri by surprise, Molina worked his way down the right before firing a ferocious effort past Szczesny. Goalscoring occasions weren’t forthcoming, with neither side rarely testing the opposing goalkeepers. The Bianconeri’s first chance of the game came in the 27th minute when Juan Cuadrado floated in a corner into the box, which met the head of McKennie who directed it just wide of the back post. De Ligt then made an attempt to shoot at goal but after it being charged down, he then crossed it into the box to Ronaldo, who directed his header narrowly over the target.
RONALDO TURNS THE GAME AROUND
The second half started Arslan drilling just wide of the target, while Ronaldo’s was easily gathered by Scuffet. Stryger-Larsen then saw his long-range effort go high and wide of goal, before Bonifazi’s attempted overhead kick went out of play. A penalty was awarded to Juve in the 81st minute after De Paul was judged to have handled Ronaldo’s free-kick inside the box. The Portuguese took to the spot and he made no error in slotting it into the back of the net from 11 yards out. That goal spurred Juventus on and the Bianconeri then went on to find the winning goal in the 89th minute through Ronaldo, who headed in Rabiot’s cross at the back post, squeezing the ball between the post and Scuffet.
Udinese XI: Scuffet; Becao, Nuytinck, Bonifazi; N Molina, De Paul, Walace, Arslan, Stryger-Larsen; Pereyra; Okaka
Juventus XI: Szczesny; Danilo, de Ligt, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado (Rabiot 84’), Bentancur, McKennie (Felix Correia 84’), Bernardeschi (Kulusevski 59’); Dybala (Morata 66’), Ronaldo
Subs: Buffon, Pinsoglio, Dragusin, Chiellini, Arthur, Rabiot, Ramsey, Vrioni, Felix Correia, Kulusevski, Morata