08 March 2019
A stunning brace from Moise Kean, a penalty from Emre Can and a goal from Blaise Matuidi ensured the Bianconeri claimed an impressive victory on home soil.
With Atletico Madrid in sight, Massimiliano Allegri introduced a different looking line-up with Andrea Barzagli and Daniele Rugani slotting in as the centre-back pairing, while up front, Moise Kean was partnered up with Federico Bernardeschi, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala all started on the bench.
KEAN FOR A GOAL
Juventus were the first to launch an attack at goal when Rugani filtered in a cross from the left side of the box. The dangerous ball was chased down by Martin Caceres, but it was perfectly punched away by Juan Musso after rushing off his line.
The Bianconeri broke the deadlock in the 11th minute of play when Alexa Sandro picked up the ball on the left flank. He ran a few meters before proving a low cross which Moise Kean connected onto and slotted it into the back of the net. Perfect timing on the run and a clean finish.
The scoreline nearly doubled seven minutes later when a cross was played into the box from a short corner. Rugani sent in a glancing header towards goal, Musso was beaten but it sailed just wide of the far post. Bernardeschi then tried his luck in the 20th minute when he struck a left-footed shot on the edge of the box. Unfortunately for him, it sailed high of the goalmouth.
Leonardo Bonucci was called into unexpected action in the 25th minute when he was asked to replace an injured Barzagli, while Udinese also made a change at the same time, taking of Nuytinck for Opoku.
MOISE X2
The scoreline doubled in the 39th minute by an excellent goal scored by Kean. The young striker received the ball from the midfield and made a 30-yard run, before cutting into the box and firing past Musso. Juventus went into the break with two goals to the good and in complete control of the game.
Udinese made their second change at the start of the second stanza, with Davide Nicola introducing Kevin Lasagna in place of Ben Wilmot. The Bianconeri were found immediately threatening Udinese’s goal when Musso was forced to rush off his line and punch the ball away – after Bentancur floated in a cross – to deny Kean and Blaise Matuidi a shot at goal.
CAN COVERTS, MATUIDI SCORES
After a dry spell of about 10 minutes with little action, Referee Chiffi found himself pointing to the spot after Kean was brought down inside the box. Emre Can stood up to take the penalty and with great ease, he sent the ball straight down the middle of the goal to make it 3-0. Udinese’s defence were leaving large gaps in their backline, and they soon conceded a fourth goal when Matuidi nodded home a low header from Bentancur’s cross. Two goals in two minutes.
After finding the back of the net, Matuidi was then substituted off in place of Dybala. The Argentine immediately threatened Musso with a curling effort that sailed straight into his arms. Kean was on the receiving end of a celebration when he was taken off with 10 minutes to ago, allowing for Nicolussi to make his debut.
LASAGNA PULLS ONE BACK
Udinese did pull a goal back in the closing minutes of the game. De Paul sent in a cross across the field, Lasagna controlled it with his chest before then driving a left-footed drive past Szczesny, who had little to do throughout the game. Despite this, Juventus remained in control of the fixture, as they claimed an important win ahead of their midweek tie against Atletico.
Juventus XI: Szczesny; Caceres, Barzagli (Bonucci 25’), Rugani, Spinazzola, Emre Can, Bentancur, Matuidi (Dybala 71’), Alex Sandro, Bernardeschi, Kean (Nicolussi 80’)
Substitutes: Perin, Pinsoglio, Chiellini, Bonucci, Kastanos, Nicolussi Caviglia, Mavididi, Dybala, Mandzukic, Ronaldo.
Udinese XI: Musso; De Maio, Troost-Ekong, Nuytinck (Opoku 25’); Ter Avest, Stryger-Larsen (Sandro 62’), Wilmot (Lasagna 46’), Fofana, Zeegelaar; Pussetto, De Paul
Substitutes: Andrade, Perisan, Opoku, Okaka, Ingelson, Micin, Lasagna, Guimaraes, Bocic
