23 July 2020
A stoppage time Fofana goal met Udinese claimed a 2-1 victory over Juventus at Dacia Arena on Thursday evening. Matthijs de Ligt broke the deadlock with a first half strike, but goals from Nestorovski and Fofana saw them snatch the three points.
DE LIGT BREAKS THE DEADLOCK
The Bianconeri’s first attempt came with four minutes on the clock when Ronaldo received the ball on the edge of the box, he then turned and fired the ball straight into Musso’s arms. The post saved Juventus from suffering an early goal when a cross, which took a touch off Danilo, rattled the upright. The Bianconeri then threatened at goal when Ramsey’s shot was blocked, the ball then fell to Dybala whose shot a powerful effort that was palmed away by the host’s shot-stopper. Ronaldo then struck an effort from 25 yards that looked destined for the top corner, but it sailed out by inches. Juventus took the lead with three minutes remaining in the first half, when a clearance fell to the feet of the Matthijs de Ligt. He gets a quick touch before smashing it into the bottom corner to give the Bianconeri a lead!
UDINESE TAKE HOME THE POINTS
Udinese started the half by testing Szczesny when Nestorovski got behind de Ligt and fired straight into the arms of Tek from a tight angle. The hosts drew level at 1-1 through Nestorovski, who got into the end of a cross and nodded in a power header. Matuidi and Douglas Costa were brought on with half an hour remaining, as they replaced Ramsey and Bernardeschi. Dybala attempted an effort from 25 meters but was denied by Musso, while Cuadrado came on for Danilo. Alex Sandro attempted an effort from range with eight minutes to go, but it failed to hit the target. The Bianconeri were pushing for that late winner that would secure the Scudetto, but it was the opposition in black and white who took home the victory after Fofana beat his challengers, nutmegged de Ligt and slotted the ball under Szczesny deep inside stoppage time.
UDINESE (3-5-2): Musso; Becao, Nuytinck, Ekong; Ter Avest, Fofana, De Paul, Sema, Zeegelar; Okaka, Nestorovski
JUVENTUS (4-3-3): Szczesny; Danilo (Cuadrado 74’), Rugani, de Ligt, Alex Sandro; Ramsey (Matuidi 59’), Bentancur, Rabiot; Bernardeschi (Douglas Costa 59’), Dybala, Ronaldo.
SUBS: Buffon, Pinsoglio, Cuadrado, Coccolo, Demiral, Pjanic, Matuidi, Muratore, Douglas Costa, Olivieri, Vrioni, Zanimacchia
