16 January 2016
Form guide
The Bianconeri of Turin decidedly hold the upper hand in matches played at the Stadio Friuli, having won 24 of the last 41 editions of this fixture. Udinese, meanwhile, have emerged victorious on just five occasions in this timeframe, while they have taken just two points from the most recent five games in which they have hosted the Old Lady, scoring just once in the process, in contrast to Juventus’ ten goals.
Happy travellers
Juve and Udinese have the second and ninth best away records in Serie A respectively, compared to their fourth and 16th places in this season’s standings for home matches.
This ultimately boils down to an ability to avoid too many draws (just two between them in a total 20 outings), winning a good ten in the process (six for the Bianconeri, four for the Zebrette).
Resilient rearguard
Having conceded just 15 times so far in Serie A this season, the Bianconeri boast the second best defence in the league, tied with Napoli and trailing Inter by three. Massimiliano Allegri’s men are also the team to have conceded the fewest shots from opponents (167) and let in the lowest number of goals from inside the area (nine).
Close encounters
Despite drawing only three of their opening 19 matches this term, Stefano Colantuono’s men have rarely been out of a game when they’ve lost, nor have they ever run away with a win.
In fact, 12 of their 16 untied games (including every one of their victories) have been decided by a single goal, the exceptions being reverses to Lazio, Roma, Fiorentina and Inter.
Allegri in the ascendancy
Allegri has won six of his eight previous Serie A meetings with Colantuono. Udinese’s manager triumphed in the other two, the first by beating Milan as Atalanta coach in September 2012, the second in the Zebrette’s opening day victory at Juventus Stadium last August. That was only the Roman’s second success in 11 matches against Juventus, the former coming while at the helm of Palermo (3-2 in 2008), while he has lost the other nine. Allegri, meanwhile, has won five of his 13 games with Udinese, drawing four and losing on another four occasions.
Case of the ex
Juan Cuadrado began his Serie A career with Udinese in November 2009, debuting against Chievo. The Colombian went on to make 20 appearances for the Zebrette before moving to Lecce two years later.
Kwadwo Asamoah enjoyed four very good seasons in Friuli between 2008 and 2012, contributing a total eight goals and nine assists from midfield. The Ghanaian played a key role in the club’s Champions League qualification in his final campaign before switching north-east Italy for the north-west that summer.
After arriving in Udine from River Plate in 2011, Roberto Pereyra established himself as an ever-present in the centre of the park in Francesco Guidolin’s side. The Argentine went on to net eight and turned provider ten times during three seasons prior to his Juventus transfer in 2014.
More milestones for Gigi
Last Sunday’s win away to Sampdoria was Gigi Buffon’s 249th in a Juventus shirt. Three points at the Stadio Friuli would see him reach yet another special landmark with the club he joined 15 years ago.
Friulian focus
This is what Colantuono will be urging his charges to improve on after the hour mark. His side have conceded 49 per cent of their goals in the final 30 minutes of matches and the eight let in between the 60th and 75th minutes represent a record in the division this term.
Di Natale strike overdue
Legendary Udinese forward Antonio Di Natale has not hit the target in his last 11 matches against Juventus. The 38-year-old is currently enduring a dry patch in front of goal that dates back nine matches to a 1-1 draw with Genoa in early October, marking his worst ever run since December 2006.
Widmer and the woodwork
The fact that Silvan Widmer has yet to find the target in 2015/16 is down in no small part to the fact that he has hit the frame of the goal on three occasions this term. The Swiss full-back can, at least, take solace in the fact that he is joined in his misfortune by Palermo’s Franco Vazquez and Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain and Lorenzo Insigne, all of whom have struck the woodwork three times so far this season.
