20 October 2017
BIANCONERI LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK
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Last time out, Juventus were denied a point at home to Lazio when Thomas Strakosha saved Paulo Dybala’s last-minute penalty, earning the travelling side a 2-1 win. Douglas Costa had put Juve in front on the 25-minute mark, after reacting quickest to Sami Khedira’s parried shot. However, in the second half two goals in quick succession by Ciro Immobile put Lazio in control and they were able to hold on and end the Bianconeri‘s long unbeaten home league run.
Juve will be encouraged however, by their 2-1 win over Sporting CP midweek in the Champions League, with Miralem Pjanic and Mario Mandzukic scoring the all-important goals. With Napoli and Inter facing off on Saturday night, a win for Juve would guarantee gaining crucial ground on at least one of the two teams above them.
UDINESE LOOKING FOR IMPROVEMENT
The Zebrette haven’t had the best start to the year so far, having won just two out of their eight games while losing the rest. Their wins include a 1-0 home win over Genoa on matchday three and 4-0 win at home against Sampdoria, whilst they have come up against and been defeated by Chievo (H), SPAL (A), Milan (A), Torino (H), Roma (A) and Fiorentina (A).
Udinese saw a lot of first-team players depart in the summer as Duvan Zapata was recalled by Napoli before being sold on to Sampdoria, Cyril Thereau was signed by Fiorentina, Thomas Heurtaux joined Hellas Verona, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu went to Bursaspor, Panagiotis Kone returned to AEK Athens, and goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis departed to Watford.
The main summer incomings consisted of experienced Serie A players as they acquired Maxi Lopez from Torino, Argentine goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri from Pescara and Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami who returned to the peninsula from Watford.
Juan Cuadrado, Medhi Benatia and Kwadwo Asamoah all started their Serie A careers at Udinese.
LAST TIME VS UDINESE
It’s fair to say that last season Udinese gave Juventus a difficult time both home and away, at the Allianz Stadium, La Vecchia Signora were forced to come from behind after Jakub Jankto had given the visitors a shock lead. Paulo Dybala scored two minutes before half-time and then La Joya completed the turnaround with a penalty in the 51st minute to record a 2-1 win for the Bianconeri.
At the Dacia Arena, Udinese went in front through Duvan Zapata, before Leonardo Bonucci evened it up to make it 1-1 as Juve left Udine with a draw.
#UDINESEJUVE MATCH STATS
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- Juventus and Udinese have met 86 times in Serie A, Juve have won 57 times, drawn 17 and lost 12.
- Udinese have only won once in the last 12 against Juventus, drawing eight and losing three.
- The Friuliani side have failed to score in seven of the last 12 meetings against Juve.
- In Udine, the home team have only won five of the last 43 league games.
- The Zebrette have conceded in every game they’ve played so far apart from their two victories.
- The Old Lady have scored in their last 37 league matches which is seven shy of beating their league record of 43 which they set in the 2013/14 season.
- Udinese are the most prolific team so far from penalties (five scored) and indirect free-kicks (two scored).
- Paulo Dybala has scored five goals away at Udinese in seven games.
