A win at the Bluenergy Stadium on Sunday against Empoli means that Udinese go unbeaten in their last three matches. The game ended 3-0 after Jurgen Ekkelenkamp’s brace and Florian Thauvin’s last-minute goal.
Udinese’s first opportunity came just a couple of minutes after the starting whistle, but Lorenzo Lucca couldn’t find the target and sent it high. It didn’t take long for Empoli to respond with Oumar Solet having to block two consecutive attempts by the visitors, and Christian Kouamé narrowly missing a shot from the centre of the box.
Sandi Lovric came close around the 20th minute, but his attempt was saved by Marco Silvestri. Udinese took the lead from the resulting corner, with Ekkelenkamp redirecting Arthur Atta’s attempt from outside of the box.
Empoli reacted immediately, but Udinese managed to contain the visitors’ efforts, including those of Kouamé who posed the main threat to the Udinese defence.
The second half started with two excellent chances for Thauvin but the skipper failed to convert. Udinese doubled their lead in the 65th minute after the rebound from Lucca’s strike found its way to Ekkelenkamp, who finished the job.
Udinese secured their third goal in the final few minutes of the match with a fantastic header from Thauvin to seal the deal.
A big three points at home mean Udinese now sit in 10th place in the table with 33 points.
Udinese v Empoli
Udinese (4-4-2): Sava; Ehizibue (Modesto, 74), Bijol, Solet, Kamara; Atta (Payero, 64), Lovric (Pafundi, 81), Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp (Sanchez, 74); Thauvin, Lucca (Bravo, 81).
Subs not used: Piana, Padelli, Zarraga, Kabasele, Giannetti, Kristensen, Zemura.
Coach: Runjaic
Empoli (3-5-2): Silvestri; De Sciglio, Goglichidze, Cacace (Konate, 85); Gyasi (Sambia, 75), Henderson (Kovalenko, 85), Grassi, Maleh (Zurkowski, 75), Pezzella; Kouame, Colombo (Esposito, 62).
Subs not used: Seghetti, Vasquez, Tosto, Bembnista.
Coach: D’Aversa
Scorers: Ekkelenkamp (U) 19, 65, Thauvin (U) 91
Referee: Doveri
Assistants: Dei Giudici, Niedda
Fourth Official: Giua
VAR: Ghersini
AVAR: Guida