After the bitter defeat in Milan, Udinese started off strongly by beating Cagliari with a goal in each half (2-0). Three precious points that relaunch the Bianconeri into the top parts of the table, allowing them to catch Juventus in third place for one night, -3 behind leaders Napoli. The Sardinians paid dearly for the expulsion of Makoumbou who forced them to play for more than an hour with one man less.
«The match report»
Udinese supremacy from the beginning
Three new features for Runjaic compared to San Siro: Payero and Kamara in midfield, Davis up front with Lucca in place of Iker Bravo. Nicola throws Gaetano behind Piccoli and leaves Viola and Luvumbo on the bench. Territorial supremacy and forcing by Udinese right from the start, but few dangerous conclusions at the start. The first noteworthy one arrives midway through the half after the good work of Lucca who protects the ball and entrusts it to Lovric: attempt by the Slovenian from the edge of the area, Scuffet blocks it to the ground without worries. Lovric tries again from great distance without framing the mirror.
Makoumbou sent off, Lucca breaks the deadlock
The turning point came on the half hour mark: Makoumbou, already booked for a foul on Payero, conspicuously held the Argentine player back in midfield, thus stopping a Juventus restart. For the race director there are no doubts and the second yellow arrives. Strengthened by their numerical superiority, Udinese breaks through and Nicola’s move to strengthen the midfield by inserting Deiola for Gaetano is of little use. Scuffet saves by cornering a shot from Ehizibue at the near post, but can do nothing shortly after, when Lucca stands alone on a cross from Kamara’s midfield and breaks the deadlock.
Davis closes the score in the final
The Sardinian team tried to react generously in the second half, but Runjaic’s team defended with order and never got into trouble. Udinese, however, is definitely scarier when they start again. On a pass from Karlstrom, Ehizibue catches a dangerous ball in the Cagliari area but fails to provide an assist to a teammate. As the action progresses, Mina and Azzi hinder each other and the ball ends up in Lovric who sends it just wide. Nicola tries to give a shock with the forward insertions of Lapadula and Luvumbo, while Zarraga and Bravo enter on the other. However, Davis takes care of closing the score by accelerating when the pace drops, Luperto jumps cleanly and fires a missile that goes under the crossbar. Friuli celebrates, Cagliari falls after 3 consecutive useful results.
UDINESE-CAGLIARI 2-0 (1-0)
Udinese (3-5-2): Okoye 6; Kabasele 6.5, Bijol 6.5, Touré 6 (40’st Giannetti sv); Ehizibue 6.5 (28’st Rui Modesto 6), Lovric 6.5, Karlstrom 6.5, Payero 6.5 (28’st Zarraga 6), Kamara 7 (40’st Zemura sv); Davis 7.5, Lucca 7.5 (28’st Bravo 6). Coach: Runjaic.
Cagliari (3-5-1-1): Scuffet 6; Hoe 5.5, Mine 5, Luperto 5; Azzi 5, Adopo 5.5 (26’st Luvumbo 5.5), Makoumbou 4, Marin 5.5 (44’st Prati sv), Augello 5.5 (26’st Zortea 6); Gaetano 6 (37’pt Deiola 6); Small 5.5 (26’st Lapadula 5.5). Coach: Nicola.
Referee: Manganiello of Pinerolo.
Rarely: 38’pt Lucca, 33’st Davis.
Expelled: Makoumbou gets a second yellow card in the 30th minute.
Warned: Lucca, Azzi, Tourè.
Angles: 2-4.
Recovery: 1’pt, 4’st.
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