Juventus climbed into the Serie A top four with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Udinese, making it four consecutive away league wins against the same opponent without conceding a single goal.
Luciano Spalletti’s side dominated possession throughout but found it difficult to break down a stubborn Udinese defence that had conceded just five first-half goals at home all season. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye made an early save to deny Jeremie Boga from a tight angle as Juve probed for an opening.
The breakthrough finally arrived in 38 minutes. Lloyd Kelly released Kenan Yildiz down the left, and the Turkish international squared for Boga to tap home his third goal in as many matches. Okoye was kept busy before the break, making further saves to deny Boga again and producing an outstanding stop to keep out Andrea Cambiaso’s half-volley after Udinese failed to clear a corner.
The hosts had a golden chance to level within six minutes of the restart but spurned it badly. In almost a mirror image of Juve’s opening goal, Keinan Davis squared from the left to find Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, but the Dutchman somehow turned his effort wide with the goal gaping.
Juventus continued to create chances and had a goal ruled out with 20 minutes remaining after Teun Koopmeiners was adjudged to be in an offside position in the goalkeeper’s eyeline. Okoye then produced a brilliant late save to deny Fabio Miretti after a wonderfully constructed Juve move, ensuring a nervy finish for the visitors.
Juve held on, however, to claim a ninth win in 10 meetings with Udinese and move above both Como and Roma in the table ahead of the pair’s Sunday clash. Udinese remain in mid-table, with their season fading after a 10th defeat in 16 matches against sides currently in the top half
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