Udinese delivered a good performance, as they won this fourth friendly match of the season against Strasbourg, the Ligue 1 team that will be competing in the upcoming Conference League.
Udinese pressed high and were well organised from the very start of the match. Their first shot on target came with Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, but it was saved by Strasbourg’s goalkeeper. Soon after that there was Vakoun Issouf Bayo’s attempt: he turned on the edge of the box, but his shot was too central.
Udinese pressed high and were well organised from the very start of the match. Their first shot on target came with Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, but it was saved by Strasbourg’s goalkeeper. Soon after that there was Vakoun Issouf Bayo’s attempt: he turned on the edge of the box, but his shot was too central.
Then a quick move down the left flank ended with a shot – that hit the outside of the net – by Simone Pafundi. On this occasion the team was coached by Przemyslaw Malecki and largely dominated the match and were very effective on the wings. On the other hand, Strasbourg were rarely a threat throughout the match.
Around minute 30, a precise through ball by Kingsley Ehizibue reached Oier Zarraga in front of the goal, but Stefan Bajic managed to save it with his foot. With a quick counterattack, Strasbourg got their first chance with a close-range shot by Joaquin Panichelli that was miraculously saved by Razvan Sava.
Panichelli then scored a goal for the French team at the end of the first half, heading it in after a cross by Sebastian Nanasi.
Panichelli then scored a goal for the French team at the end of the first half, heading it in after a cross by Sebastian Nanasi.
At the start of the second half, Udinese’s high press paid off and Bayo scored a poacher’s goal. Three minutes later came Udinese’s second goal, scored by Arthur Atta after receiving a cross by Lovric. Just like in the first half, Udinese dominated the second half of the match, as they were constantly on the offensive side. Bayo nearly made it 3-1 after receiving a cross from Jordan Zemura; Zarraga’s shot was blocked at the edge of the box. Iker Bravo created several opportunities. Strasbourg were sometimes on the offensive, but Udinese’s defenders were always able to block them.
Zemura came close to scoring towards the end of the match – after being served well by Atta – with a diagonal shot, but Karl-Johan Johnsson managed to save it with his foot.
The match ended with Udinese winning 2-1. This means that the team have won their last match in Austria during this pre-season and have proved that their physical condition is improving.
Zemura came close to scoring towards the end of the match – after being served well by Atta – with a diagonal shot, but Karl-Johan Johnsson managed to save it with his foot.
The match ended with Udinese winning 2-1. This means that the team have won their last match in Austria during this pre-season and have proved that their physical condition is improving.
Strasbourg 1-2 Udinese (HT 1-0)
Strasbourg (3-4-2-1): Bajic (Johnsson 58); Mwanga (El Mourabet 65), Omobamidele (Lung 65), Doukourè (Messi 65); Sylla (Cissé 46), Oyedele, Bakwa (Lukovic 65), Sobol; Lemarechal (Diop 65), Nanasi (Amougou 65); Panichelli (Mara 46).
Subs not used: Kerckaert. Coach Rosenior.
Udinese (4-4-2): Sava (Padelli 46); Ehizibue (Ballarini 75), Giannetti (Palma 66), Solet (Kabasele 66), Kamara (Zemura 46); Ekkelenkamp (Lovric 46), Zarraga (Camara 75), Karlstrom (Pejicic 66), Pafundi (Atta 46); Bayo (Pizarro 75), Brenner (Bravo 66).
Subs not used: Okoye, De Paoli, Vinciati. Coach Malecki.
Referee: Arn. Talic
Assistants: Arm. Talic – Crnkic
Scorers: Panichelli (S) 40, Bayo (U) 46, Atta (U) 49
Booked: Mara (S) 52, Zarraga (U) 52, Lovric (U) 54
Sent off: no one
Notes: 2 minutes of stoppage time in the second half.
Booked: Mara (S) 52, Zarraga (U) 52, Lovric (U) 54
Sent off: no one
Notes: 2 minutes of stoppage time in the second half.