Category: <b>Match Reports</b><br><br>Antonio Di Natale snatched a shock victory in Turin, as Alessandro Del Piero hit the woodwork three times for Juventus.
The Bianconeri hoped to maintain their 100 per cent record and the Serie A leadership, facing an Udinese side with an identity crisis. This was the team that held Inter to a 1-1 draw in Week 1 only to collapse 5-0 at home against Napoli. Jonathan Zebina sat out a four-match ban for slapping a cameraman, joining Zdenek Grygera, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Marco Marchionni and Hasan Salihamidzic in the stands. The Zebrette had Antonio Di Natale in fine form following his brace against Ukraine midweek.
Sergio Almiron drilled just past the post from distance and Alessandro Del Piero thumped the upright with a left-foot strike, although it was slightly offside.
Handanovic came charging out to pluck a dangerous ball off Mauro Camoranesi's head, and the goalkeeper also rushed forward to close down Del Piero as he ran on to Pavel Nedved's assist.
Del Piero was extremely unlucky to hit the woodwork again with a free kick - this time a valid move - with Handanovic totally immobile.
Camoranesi limped off with a muscular problem, continuing his unfortunate period of physical form. Udinese had a great chance with Di Natale's cross for an unmarked Gyan Asamoah, but his volley was well over.
There was a curious moment during the first half, as a fan threw a flare on to the pitch and the other supporters around him apprehended the hooligan, handing him over to the club stewards.
Juventus' defence has come under fire this season and was at fault again when Udinese took the lead just seconds after the restart. It was one-touch football with Dossena, then Inler's chip for a Di Natale header - totally unmarked - from seven yards.
Claudio Ranieri completed his changes to spark his team to life and Nedved went close when he cut back and fired over.
However, Udinese almost made it 2-0 on 62 minutes, as Asamoah was given far too much space on the counter by Quagliarella and his blistering half-volley cannoned against the upright.
While Juventus continued to attack, it was Udinese who went closest, as D'Agostino wasted a golden opportunity on the counter, passing straight to a Juve defender rather than the unmarked Di Natale.
Di Natale's control and volley flashed across the face of goal, then Handanovic fumbled a harmless cross and was fortunate Vincenzo Iaquinta put the loose ball out.
Juventus did hit the back of the net in stoppages with Iaquinta's header, but it was disallowed for a Del Piero push on Andrea Coda as the free kick was floated in.
Del Piero incredibly hit the woodwork for the third time with a free kick that clattered the frame of the goal.
JUVENTUS-UDINESE 0-1 (0-0)
GOALS: Di Natale 47 mins.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Birindelli, Andrade, Criscito, Chiellini; Camoranesi (Nocerino 30 mins), Zanetti (Tiago 56 mins), Almiron, Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet (Iaquinta 56 mins).
Subs not used: Belardi, Legrottaglie, Molinaro, Palladino.
Manager: Ranieri.
UDINESE: Handanovic; Zapatocny, Zapata, Coda; Mesto, Ilner, D’Agostino, Dossena (Lukovic 86 mins); Quagliarella, Asamoah (Floro Flores 64 mins), Di Natale (Pepe 86 mins).
Subs not used: Chimenti, Ferronetti, Sivok, Emerenko, Floro Flores.
Manager: Marino.
REFEREE: Farina from Novi Ligure.
YELLOW CARDS: Chiellini 35 mins, D’Agostino 82 mins.<br><br>Source: Football Italia & Juventus.com
The Bianconeri hoped to maintain their 100 per cent record and the Serie A leadership, facing an Udinese side with an identity crisis. This was the team that held Inter to a 1-1 draw in Week 1 only to collapse 5-0 at home against Napoli. Jonathan Zebina sat out a four-match ban for slapping a cameraman, joining Zdenek Grygera, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Marco Marchionni and Hasan Salihamidzic in the stands. The Zebrette had Antonio Di Natale in fine form following his brace against Ukraine midweek.
Sergio Almiron drilled just past the post from distance and Alessandro Del Piero thumped the upright with a left-foot strike, although it was slightly offside.
Handanovic came charging out to pluck a dangerous ball off Mauro Camoranesi's head, and the goalkeeper also rushed forward to close down Del Piero as he ran on to Pavel Nedved's assist.
Del Piero was extremely unlucky to hit the woodwork again with a free kick - this time a valid move - with Handanovic totally immobile.
Camoranesi limped off with a muscular problem, continuing his unfortunate period of physical form. Udinese had a great chance with Di Natale's cross for an unmarked Gyan Asamoah, but his volley was well over.
There was a curious moment during the first half, as a fan threw a flare on to the pitch and the other supporters around him apprehended the hooligan, handing him over to the club stewards.
Juventus' defence has come under fire this season and was at fault again when Udinese took the lead just seconds after the restart. It was one-touch football with Dossena, then Inler's chip for a Di Natale header - totally unmarked - from seven yards.
Claudio Ranieri completed his changes to spark his team to life and Nedved went close when he cut back and fired over.
However, Udinese almost made it 2-0 on 62 minutes, as Asamoah was given far too much space on the counter by Quagliarella and his blistering half-volley cannoned against the upright.
While Juventus continued to attack, it was Udinese who went closest, as D'Agostino wasted a golden opportunity on the counter, passing straight to a Juve defender rather than the unmarked Di Natale.
Di Natale's control and volley flashed across the face of goal, then Handanovic fumbled a harmless cross and was fortunate Vincenzo Iaquinta put the loose ball out.
Juventus did hit the back of the net in stoppages with Iaquinta's header, but it was disallowed for a Del Piero push on Andrea Coda as the free kick was floated in.
Del Piero incredibly hit the woodwork for the third time with a free kick that clattered the frame of the goal.
JUVENTUS-UDINESE 0-1 (0-0)
GOALS: Di Natale 47 mins.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Birindelli, Andrade, Criscito, Chiellini; Camoranesi (Nocerino 30 mins), Zanetti (Tiago 56 mins), Almiron, Nedved; Del Piero, Trezeguet (Iaquinta 56 mins).
Subs not used: Belardi, Legrottaglie, Molinaro, Palladino.
Manager: Ranieri.
UDINESE: Handanovic; Zapatocny, Zapata, Coda; Mesto, Ilner, D’Agostino, Dossena (Lukovic 86 mins); Quagliarella, Asamoah (Floro Flores 64 mins), Di Natale (Pepe 86 mins).
Subs not used: Chimenti, Ferronetti, Sivok, Emerenko, Floro Flores.
Manager: Marino.
REFEREE: Farina from Novi Ligure.
YELLOW CARDS: Chiellini 35 mins, D’Agostino 82 mins.<br><br>Source: Football Italia & Juventus.com
Buy on AliExpress.com
