03 June 2023
Compared to recent Serie A seasons, the run-in for Udinese this time around has been relatively relaxed.
Altough unable to maintain the form that led the north-eastern club to emerge as one of the early front-runners following six wins in succession from matchday 3-8, the Friulani only dropped out of the top half of the table over the last two months, with their Serie A status secured.
Let's take a look at the form of Andrea Sottil's team since the sides last met in January, when Danilo's 86th minute goal rewarded the Bianconeri with all three points.
THE SEASON SO FAR
That Juventus win on January 7th extended Udinese's winless run in all competitions pre- and post-World Cup to 10 matches. They would taste victory again, however, two weeks later against Sampdoria. That was the only win in 17 league games as the Friulani tumbled from third to 10th place in the standings.
Sottil's side now sit in 12th place, five points behind 11th-placed Bologna. Although they can't finish any higher, victory over Juventus would see them complete the campaign on 49 points, marking their best performance since Serie A season 2012/13. A performance that has earned the coach a one-year contract extension, until June 2024.
So far, Udinese have collected 11 wins, 13 draws and as many defeats, on the back of 47 goals scored and conceded in equal measure.
The bulk of their points total has been amassed at home with six wins, nine draws and just three defeats.
KEEP AN EYE ON...
Roberto Pereyra, who wore the black and white striped shirt of Juventus for two seasons between 2014 and 2016, is on the verge of a milestone in Serie A's other black and white stripes.
The Argentine has played 199 times for Udinese in all competitions and an appearance against his only other former side in Italy would see him reach the double century for the club that brought him to Europe from River Plate in 2011.
The ex of the match, thanks to five goals and seven assists already in the current tournament coming, could become – should he actively participate in a goal – the second Udinese midfielder to take part in at least 13 goals in a Serie A season since the beginning of the last decade, following in the footsteps of compatriot Rodrigo de Paul.
Pereyra scored against his former team on Juve's most recent visit to the Dacia Arena, on 22 August 2021, the opening day of last season.
