22 October 2017
It was a night to remember in Udine for Juventus as Sami Khedira took home the match ball leading Juventus to a stunning 6-2 win at Udinese. The German found the back of the net in the 21st, 59th and 87th to seal his first Bianconeri hat-trick as Juventus sealed an important three points in northeast Italy
A wild first half saw the home side go in front after eight minutes. A fantastic individual effort from Stipe Perica saw the Croatian receive the ball in midfield before going on an individual run into the box. Perica cut onto his left foot and found the far netting to give Udinese a 1-0 lead.
It wouldn’t take long for Juventus to equalizer. A Pjanic corner kick was headed into the Udinese goal by defender Samir to bring Juve level after 14 minutes. The Bianconeri turned things around just seven minutes later as Juan Cuadrado’s cross was met by the head of Khedira to tally his first goal of the season giving Massimiliano Allegri’s side the lead.
A wild first half was not over as a coming together in the box between Ali Adnan and Mario Mandzukic saw the Croatian shown a double-yellow card meaning Juventus would be down to ten men for the rest of the match.
Late in the first half, Gianluigi Buffon was called upon for three huge saves in quick succession to somehow keep Juventus in front at the half-time break.
The goals kept coming thick and fast in the second half as Udinese leveled quickly after the break. Danilo came up from the back to head in Jakub Jankto’s free kick in the 47th minute equalizing the match at 2-2.
The fighting spirit that is a trademark of every Juventus side would come through soon after as the 10-man squad wouldn’t be denied. After Juan Cuadrado earned a free kick 35 yards from goal, Miralem Pjanic stepped up to send an inch-perfect dead ball onto the head of Daniele Rugani who scored his first goal of the season in the 52nd minute putting Juventus back on top 3-2.
Finally, the Bianconeri creating some breathing room on the scoreboard in the 59th minute through two players who had already found the goal. Rugani headed down a cross into the path of Khedira and the German international slammed home his chance to double the lead at 4-2 Juventus.
The fun wasn’t done for Juventus, however, as Khedira would take home the match ball! The German finished a brilliant right-footed blast in the 87th minute to seal a hat-trick to remember. Incredibly, the scoring still wasn’t done for the Bianconeri as Pjanic finished a deflected effort from the top of the box just before the final whistle to seal the stunning 6-2 score line.
It was a huge three points for the Bianconeri as they’ve gained two points on Inter and Napoli at the top of the table in a weekend to remember for Allegri’s side. It’s straight back to work in just three days time for Juventus as they host SPAL at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
