Juventus' Serie A title put on hold after Udinese comeback

Juventus' ninth consecutive Scudetto will have to wait after they were beaten 2-1 at Udinese on Thursday evening. A win would have seen them win the league with three games to spare, but it was a lacklustre performance from Maurizio Sarri's men. Udinese came from behind to claim all three points and are now all but safe from relegation. Udinese are now seven points clear with three games left while Juventus' six point cushion over Atalanta means their title should not be under threat.

The defending champions took the lead three minutes before half-time through Matthijs de Ligt's shot along the ground, but it was a lead they hardly deserved. Nestorovski then levelled things up seven minutes into the second half when he headed home Sema's cross and then when it looked like it would be a draw, Fofana ran 30 yards and past two defenders before slotting past Szczesny in second half stoppage time.

Inter's draw on Wednesday meant Juventus could seal win on Thursday, but the game started slowly. Ronaldo had a half chance early on, but it was Udinese who nearly scored after eight minutes. Sema sent in a cross from the far side looking for Okaka and Juve's Danilo headed the ball across his own post.  Dybala then tested Musso from distance after a corner was only half cleared, but it was reasonably quiet. 

Sema for Udinese and Cristiano Ronaldo and Dybala for Juventus had efforts, but they failed to hit the target and it looked it was going to be goalless at the break until the 42nd minute. Rabiot's ball into the box was headed away by Troost-Ekong to De Ligt who hit a 25 yard strike along the ground to beat Musso and give Juve the lead. Dybala nearly made it two right on half-time, but he hit wide. Juve were undeservedly in front at the interval. 

 

July 23, 2020

Juventus could not kick on in the second half and Udinese actually had the first effort when Nestorovski hit at the Juve goalie. Dybala had an effort at the other end, but Udinese were soon level. Sema sent in a cross from the near side and Nestorovski ran in at the far post to head home. 

After the goal, the hosts were actually the more dangerous. Nestorovski hit an effort wide and they had plenty of good counterattacks while Juve were restricted to a Dybala effort which was well plucked out of the air by Musso. The match looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw and Juventus did not seem to be trying very hard for a winner. But then, Udinese started to throw a few more people forward in the last 10 minutes. 

Okaka nearly put Udinese in front after 84 minutes, but he headed Rodrigo De Paul's cross over the bar. However, in the second minute of four added on, Udinese got the winner. They won the ball in their own half, Fofana picked the ball up at midfield and ran 30 yards past two opponents including De Ligt before getting into the box and beating Szczesny to all but secure Udinese's Serie A status for another season. 

Juve were then spurred into action, but despite a corner and a couple of promising attacks, it was too late and Juventus will have to wait a little bit longer for the league title. Their next game is at home to Sampdoria on Sunday, but they could win it before then if Inter fail to beat Genoa on Saturday.