For the third year running, Udinese kicked off the new season with a 1-1 draw – this time against Como.
There were plenty of positives to take from the team's performace at Bluenergy Stadium on Saturday evening as Udinese more than held their own against Cesc Fabregas's Champions League outfit.
With 34 minutes on the clock, Hassane Kamara ran onto Jurgen Ekkelenkamp's through ball and coolly chipped over the onrushing keeper to give us the lead.
However, ten minutes into the second half Anastasios Douvikas poked home from a corner to level the scores
Both sides had chances to win it as the game drew to a close but Vakoun Bayo lifted his shot over the bar from close range, before Jacobo Ramon headed against the bar from a corner in injury time.
Next up for Kosta Runjaic's men is a trip to Monza in seven days' time.
Udinese 1-1 Como (HT 1-0)
Scorers: Kamara 29, Douvikas 54.
Udinese (3-4-2-1): Okoye; Abankwah, Palma (Ebosse 46), Solet; Vojvoda, Karlstrom (cap.), Piotrowski (Miller 71), Kamara; Zaniolo (Zarraga 90), Ekkelenkamp (Gomez 85); Gueye (Bayo 71).
Subs not used: Padelli, Piana, Goglichidze, Lovric, Bertola, Arizala, Mlacic, Vinciati, Pejicic.
Coach: Runjaic.
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez (cap.); Couto (Smolcic 89), Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Perrone (Da Cunha 46), Milla; Paz (Caqueret 89), Baturina (Diao 46), Rodriguez (Liberali 71); Douvikas.
Subs not used: Audero, Tornqvist, Vigorito, Kempf, Dossena, Lahdo, Kaiki, Goldaniga, Morata, Cassano.
Coach: Fabregas.
Referee: Arena
Assistants: Mondin - Laudato
Fourth official: Chiffi
VAR: Camplone
AVAR: Rutella
Booked: Piotrowski 28, Abankwah 41, Gomez 90+3.
Added time: 3+5 minutes.
Attendance: 23,239 (€378,539)