Udinese’s pre-season preparations are fully underway. The lads faced UAE champions Shabab Al-Ahli in Bamberg on Wednesday but unfortunately couldn’t secure a win. Despite suffering defeat, the match was a useful in fine-tuning Kosta Runjaic’s system.
The Emiratis immediately took the lead with a shot by Mateusao, who found space and beat Razvan Sava. After conceding, Udinese regained some control of the match and found a chance through Keinan Davis, whose shot was deflected for a corner by the keeper. Shortly after Oumar Solet also tried his luck from outside of the box but Hamed Al Meqbaali was there to block it. Martin Payero also went for goal but sent the ball high.
After half an hour, Shabab Al-Ahli doubled their lead from a corner which Gaston Alvarez Suarez headed home. Udinese tried to respond through a low free kick by Sandi Lovric, which went around the wall and grazed the post.
The UAE side opened the second half with a goal from Saeid Ezatolahi, who got on the end of a cross that hit the post. Udinese reacted with attempts from David Pejicic and Hassane Kamara but they were both blocked by the keeper.
Udinese’s desire to score was evident and Iker Bravo tried to break through but failed to find the back of the net. In the 70th minute Vakoun Bayo found Udinese’s second goal with a header from a corner kick.
Arthur Atta came close to closing the gap by Al Meqbaali was there to stop him, preventing a second Udinese goal. The game ended 3-1 to Shabab Al-Ahli.
Udinese 1-3 Shabab Al-Ahli
Scorers: Mateusao 1, Suarez 34, Ezatolahi 48, Bayo 68
Udinese first half (4-3-3): Sava; Ehizibue, Kabasele, Solet, Zemura; Lovric (cap.), Zarraga, Payero; Pafundi, Davis, Brenner.
Udinese second half (4-3-3): Padelli; Ballarini, Palma, Giannetti, Kamara; Atta, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp; Pejicic (Vinciati 73), Bayo, Bravo
Subs not used: Venuti, Camara, De Paoli, Pizarro.
Coach: Runjaic
Shabab Al-Ahli (4-2-3-1): Al Meqbaali; Mateus Henrique (Irala 62), Renan (Planic 62), Igor Gomes (Keita 62), Kauan Santos (Boualam 62); Ezatolahi (Sultan Adil 62), Suarez (Lemos 45); Bala (Dabbur 45), Cartabia (cap.) (Al Ghassani 62), Yuri Cesar (Adyson 62); Mateusão (Suhail 45).
Subs not used: Al Menhali, Hamza, Khamis, Garcia, Gonzalez, Murad.
Coach: Paulo Sousa
Referee: Bingol
Assistants: Bayraktar, Kirchmair
Booked: Karlstrom